Stress Tests for nuclear power plants

Spain

Following the accident at the Japanese Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant, caused by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami on March 11, 2011, the Council of the European Union expressed the need to carry out a comprehensive and transparent assessment of the safety of all nuclear power plants within the European Union. As an immediate response, a thorough, rigorous, and transparent evaluation of the safety of all operational nuclear facilities in the EU was launched. This initiative became known as the Stress Tests.

The main objective of these Stress Tests was to analyze the ability of nuclear facilities to withstand extreme natural events, as well as their preparedness to manage emergency situations. In this context, IDOM assessed the likelihood and potential effects of earthquakes, heavy rainfall, extreme temperatures, and flooding at the Ascó and Vandellós II nuclear power plants. Furthermore, IDOM extended its work to other facilities within the Spanish nuclear fleet, conducting specific technical evaluations tailored to the characteristics of each site. In the case of the Cofrentes nuclear power plant, the focus was placed particularly on seismic risk assessment, as part of the same Stress Test process.

These activities were carried out in accordance with the requirements and guidelines established by the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), the regulatory body responsible for ensuring nuclear safety and radiological protection in Spain. As a continuation of the initial studies, and in response to the seismic and flood hazard capacity reports prepared for the Ascó and Vandellós II plants, IDOM also took on the responsibility of designing and implementing structural reinforcement solutions. This included the development of detailed engineering projects aimed at enhancing the resilience of the facilities against external events, thereby ensuring a higher level of safety and operational robustness.

Operation & Maintenance