[en] Hypothetical core disruptive accident (HCDA) energy release, if it occurs during startup of a reactor is shown to be independent of the initial neutron source strength. Furthermore, because of the reactivity feedback in the predisassembly phase the power at the beginning of the disassembly phase is weakly dependent upon initial source strength. Therefore it is concluded that as long as initial neutron source strength satisfies during startup, there is no need for the enhancing of the initial source strength from the HCDA energy release point of view. (U.K.)