Following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, the Shika Nuclear Power Plant, situated in Ishikawa, central Japan, experienced oil leakage from affected equipment at a much higher level than initially reported, according to the plant’s operator.
Hokuriku Electric Power Company had previously disclosed that two external power supply transformers for Units 1 and 2 at the Shika plant were damaged due to the earthquake’s impact. Initially, they reported an oil leak of approximately 3,500 liters from one transformer for Unit 2, causing a partial malfunction of the external power supply system.
However, in a recent press conference, the company acknowledged that the actual oil leakage amounted to a significantly higher volume of 19,800 liters. Additionally, the timeline for repairing the external power supply system remains uncertain.
Another transformer for Unit 2 at the plant was also found to have leaked around 100 liters of oil, further complicating the situation.
Concerns arose about ground subsidence near the reactor building of Unit 1, though the power company assured the public that these conditions would not compromise the safety of the Shika plant.
Despite the company’s explanation of “explosion sounds and a burning smell” near the Unit 2 transformer being attributed to the automatic fire suppression system, local media outlets have reported these incidents surrounding the plant.
