MOEA: Fourth Nuclear Power Plant fuel rods cannot be transferred to Third Nuclear Power Plant, overseas transport saves NT50 million annually

Central News Agency (Reporter Tseng Yun-ting, Taipei 6th) The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) stated today that nuclear power plant fuel rods are custom-made according to reactor design, and fuel rods from different power plants and different units cannot be used interchangeably. The Fourth Nuclear Power Plant''s fuel rods cannot be transferred for use at the Third Nuclear Power Plant. The Fourth Nuclear Power Plant''s fuel rods were transported overseas for storage in 2018, in accordance with a Legislative Yuan resolution, saving an estimated NT50 million annually. Regarding the rumor that ''sending the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant''s fuel rods abroad wasted NT billion, why not keep them for the Third Nuclear Power Plant?'', the MOEA stated that the Third and Fourth Nuclear Power Plants have different reactor types, and naturally, the fuel rod types are different. They are not interchangeable in terms of technology and nuclear safety, ''just like Gogoro''s scooter battery cannot be exchanged with Kymco Ionex''s scooter battery.'' The MOEA pointed out that the Third Nuclear Power Plant belongs to Westinghouse, and the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant belongs to General Electric, each with its own patents. Taipower also stated that the Third Nuclear Power Plant is a pressurized water reactor, while the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant is a boiling water reactor. The two differ in design and operating mechanisms, so the specifications and configurations of the fuel rods are also different, making them non-interchangeable in terms of technology and nuclear safety. In addition, regarding public concern about the handling costs of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant''s fuel rods, Taipower stated that the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant''s fuel rods were transported overseas in batches starting in 2018 and were all shipped out by 2021. The related costs for overseas storage are approximately NT50 million annually. If the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant''s fuel rods continued to be stored on-site, security and inspection costs exceeding NT00 million would be incurred annually, meaning overseas transport saves NT50 million annually. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150506 Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom. Download the Central News Agency ''First-hand News'' APP to stay updated with the latest news. The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.