The shutdown of the number two reactor in Taiwan’s First Nuclear Power Plant earlier this month led to about NT$200 million in losses (more than US$6 million). That was the word on Monday from the head of Taiwan Power Company, Hwang Jung-chiou.
Hwang was reporting on the incident to the legislature’s economics committee; he was joined by Economics Minister John Deng.
Hwang spoke about the losses incurred by the four-day shutdown of the reactor. He said that backup sources of energy were used to make up for the shortage caused by the shutdown.
“In one day a nuclear (reactor), if replaced by oil or natural gas like in the past, it would cost more than NT$50 million (US$1.5 million)," said Hwang.
A number of lawmakers in the economics committee questioned Hwang about safety concerns regarding the shutdown. Hwang said that a worker had accidentally pressed the wrong button on the control panel for the number two reactor, thinking it was the number one reactor.
Hwang said that Taipower would take disciplinary action against the worker in question and offer further training.