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Paks NPP expansion: the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority bans work in parts of the 5th block construction site – PHOTOS
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The decision of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority to ban work in parts of the 5th block construction site came after parts of its Southern wall slid and collapsed. Based on a trustworthy informant of Portfolio, work continued in all other parts of the construction site. Hungary’s only nuclear power plant in Paks operates with four blocks, the 5th is under construction with the help of Russian technology and loans.
Paks NPP 5th block construction site Southern wall slide
The Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority (HAEA) issued the relevant decision on Thursday, saying that the slide happened in the Southern segment of the construction hole. That segment is the closest to the 4th block, which operates, Portfolio wrote. The collapse took place at a height of 7 metres. The first cracks were discovered on 15 January. Afterwards, the territory became a separate security zone, and geodetic control points were placed there. However, parts of the reinforced ground slid on 30 January. The HAEA permits the continuation of the construction only after the subcontractors can prove that they terminated the irregular state.
On 6 February, the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority banned work in the Southern parts of the 5th block construction site and compiled a detailed checklist. The January events are not in connection with another event before Christmas when the wall of the construction site tilted. The subcontractors carried out a preventive intervention and supported the wall even though its tilt (3.5-4cm) did not reach the intervention limit (6.5cm).
Opposition politicians’ visit
Independent MP Ákos Hadházy suggested that employees faced mass layoffs due to the tilt. Later, the Paks NPP cleared that the workers’ contracts were terminated because they finished ground reinforcement. The two events happened around the same time, but there was no connection between them, Portfolio wrote.
This week, Antal Csárdi and Hadházy’s chief of staff, Bernadette Szilágyi, visited the construction site after Paks NPP welcomed two Fidesz-KDNP MPs the week before. The company said they showed everything to the politician and answered all of his questions. The visit took place hours before the HAEA decision was issued.
