Investigating Natural Disaster-Related External Events at Nuclear Power Plants: Towards Climate Change Resilience

Climate change is causing rapid shifts in the intensity and frequency of natural disasters worldwide, which may have implications for the safety of nuclear power plants. As these natural disasters become more frequent and severe, their potential impact on nuclear facilities is expected to increase. Several instances of nuclear power plants being forced to shut down due to climate change have already been observed. The changing patterns of natural disasters can lead to alterations in external events affecting nuclear power plants. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate how climate change could affect the safety and operations of nuclear power plants in order to establish protective measures and mitigation strategies. This study examined external events associated with climate change that could potentially impact nuclear power plants, and both Korean and international cases were summarized. Recommendations for future tasks were proposed based on these findings. Currently, there have been no significant reported cases where climate change has severely impacted the operations and safety of nuclear power plants. However, it is essential to undertake periodic evaluations, long-term management, and further research to ensure the safety and continued operation of nuclear power plants in the face of climate change.