Oil leak from nuclear power plant due to earthquake in Japan

In the aftermath of the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, the amount of oil leakage from the affected equipment at the Shika Nuclear Power Plant in the most-affected central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa was over five times higher than the initially disclosed amount, according to the plant's operator.

The Shika power station, located 65 kilometers (40 miles) from the epicenter, has already reported temporary power outages, oil leaks at transformers, and water spill-over from nuclear fuel pools.

Hokuriku Electric Power Company reported that an oil slick spanning roughly five meters by ten meters was seen floating on the sea's surface in front of the power station, and a neutralizing agent was used to remedy the leak.

Hokuriku Electric stated that, due to the earthquake's impact, two external power supply transformers for Units 1 and 2 at the Shika plant were damaged. Specifically, one transformer for Unit 2 was reported to have leaked approximately 3,500 liters of oil, rendering a portion of the external power supply system inoperable.

The company admitted during a press conference last Friday that the actual oil leakage amounted to as much as 19,800 liters, and the timeline for repairing the external power supply system remains uncertain.

Another transformer for Unit 2 at the plant has been found to have leaked approximately 100 liters of oil, it added.

The corporation stated that there are no negative effects on human health or the environment, and external radiation levels remain unaffected.

Local media reported "explosion sounds and a burning smell" near the transformer for Unit 2 at the plant, which the power company explained as the automatic fire suppression system in action.

(With input from Xinhua)