Potential threat from old nuclear plants

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned that 80% of the world's nuclear power plants have been operating for more than 20 years, a period of time when safety experts feel concerned.

'The high age of nuclear power plants can impact on the ability to ensure safety and ability to meet the energy requirements of member states in a economical and efficient way. Countries that want to maintain the long-term functioning of nuclear power plants should analyze the safety aspects of irreplaceable parts in nuclear power plants' , AFP quoted a paragraph in the draft report. IAEA Nuclear Safety Assessment.

A nuclear power plant

Many experts from the IAEA said that the safety standards of old nuclear power plants should be upgraded to keep up with new or newly built nuclear power plants.

The draft report of the IAEA said that 5% of the world's 435 nuclear power plants have been operating for more than 40 years and 32% have operated for more than 30 years. 254 research nuclear reactors - only producing nuclear isotopes for medical treatment and some other civilian purposes - are being used in the world and 70% of those are started from more 30 years ago. Even many research nuclear reactors have been operating longer than expected.

'Those numbers make the operators of research nuclear reactors feel anxious , managers and the public , ' the draft concluded.