Hong Kong authorities said an operational glitch at the Ling Ao Nuclear Power Station in Shenzhen last week posed no risk to public health or the environment. The event occurred during a scheduled refuelling overhaul and was rated Level 0 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale.
The Security Bureau reported on Sunday that Guangdong province’s Nuclear Emergency Committee Office had notified it of the incident at the plant, about 50km north of urban Hong Kong. The event took place last Thursday during a routine test of standby equipment.
Staff closed a cooling water isolation valve longer than permitted under technical specifications while adjusting water flow. Water levels were restored to normal later the same day.
The incident was classified as a Level 0 deviation on May 8. Under the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, this rating indicates an event with no safety significance.