Latest news with #Mihama
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Kepco to build Japan's first new nuclear reactor since Fukushima meltdown
Kansai Electric Power Co. (Kepco) will begin the process of building a next-generation reactor at its Mihama nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture, the first new reactor in Japan since the 2011 meltdown at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. 'From today onward, we will be proceeding with offering explanations to local residents and others in preparation for the geological survey,' Kepco President Nozomu Mori said at a news conference on Tuesday. 'In our resource-poor country, it is important for nuclear power to continue to play a role in the future' from the standpoint of safety, energy security, economic efficiency and the environment, he said. Kepco began a feasibility assessment for a new reactor at the end of 2010, but it was suspended in the aftermath of the meltdown at Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima plant following the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. The company will conduct geological surveys on the grounds of its Mihama plant to assess the feasibility of building a new reactor under new safety guidelines that were implemented following the 2011 earthquake. If the ground is deemed to be acceptable, the company will submit an application to the Nuclear Regulation Authority to begin construction. At the Mihara plant, the No. 1 and No. 2 reactors are set to be decommissioned, with only the No. 3 reactor currently in operation. Next year, however, the No. 3 unit is set to reach its 50th year since the start of its operation; the number of years set for usage is generally 40. Kepco's plan for a new reactor comes after the government adopted the Seventh Strategic Energy Plan in February, which — contrary to the post-Fukushima accident stance to reduce the nation's dependence on nuclear energy — declared policies to maximize the use of nuclear power. The energy policy also outlined plans on developing next-generation reactors that are said to be safer than traditional ones. During the news conference, Mori said that especially given the growth of data centers and the semiconductor industry, the country's power needs would only continue to grow. Mori said his lesson from the Fukushima accident was to 'prioritize safety over all else' in the operation of the reactors. 'I understand that there are those who are cautious about nuclear energy ... but we will continue to work to improve the safety of nuclear power,' he said. 'This means not only complying with regulations, but also continuing to improve safety on a voluntary basis, and accumulating the results of safe operation one day at a time.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Japan takes first step toward new nuclear reactor post-Fukushima
TOKYO: A Japanese utility announced plans to conduct a geological survey for constructing the nation's first new nuclear reactor since the Fukushima disaster in 2011. Kansai Electric President Nozomu Mori stated the survey will assess the feasibility of replacing the aging Mihama Nuclear Power Station, marking a significant shift in Japan's energy policy. Following the 2011 tsunami and subsequent meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi, Japan shut down all nuclear reactors amid public safety concerns. However, the government has since advocated for nuclear power as a key component in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Public opinion has gradually shifted, with many reactors now back in operation. Mori emphasized Japan's limited natural resources, stating, 'It is important that nuclear power fulfils its role in the years to come.' The project, delayed since 2011, remains in early stages, with no confirmed construction timeline. Local reports estimate the new reactor could cost one trillion yen (\$6.8 billion) and take 20 years to become operational. Kansai Electric previously halted plans to replace one of Mihama's three reactors post-Fukushima. Two older reactors were retired in 2015, while the third continues operating despite nearing 50 years of service. The push for nuclear energy aligns with Japan's growing electricity demands, particularly for AI and data centres. – AFP
CNA
3 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Japan moves toward first new reactor since Fukushima disaster
TOKYO: A Japanese utility said on Tuesday (Jul 22) it was taking an initial step towards building the nation's first new nuclear reactor since the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster more than a decade ago. After the 2011 tsunami and meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, Japan shut down all of its nuclear reactors, with the public voicing unease about the energy source. But the government has continued to back nuclear power as a reliable and clean source of energy that Japan needs as it aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. And 14 years since the disaster, Japan has restarted many reactors, with the public's concerns about nuclear power declining, according to opinion polls. Utility Kansai Electric's president Nozomu Mori said on Tuesday the company will conduct a geological survey to "evaluate the possibility to construct the successor plant to Mihama Nuclear Power Station", resuming a project delayed by the 2011 disaster. "As natural resources are limited in our country ... it is important that nuclear power fulfils its role in the years to come," he said during a televised press conference, adding that it was not clear when construction might start. After the 2011 Fukushima meltdown, Kansai Electric suspended a geological survey needed for a plan to replace one of the three Mihama reactors. In 2015, the operator retired two of the Mihama reactors that had operated for more than 50 years. The third reactor still runs today despite having operated for nearly 50 years. Local media said a new reactor could cost 1 trillion yen (US$6.8 billion) and may take 20 years before it becomes operational.
NHK
3 days ago
- Business
- NHK
Kansai Electric to restart surveys on building new reactor
The operator of a nuclear power plant in central Japan says it will resume onsite surveys toward constructing a next-generation reactor within the facility. If built, it would be the first new reactor in Japan since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident. Kansai Electric Power Company on Tuesday announced the plan for geological and other studies at the Mihama plant in Fukui Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast. Mori Nozomu, president of Kansai Electric says, "We will seek the understanding of local communities and continue to promote the nuclear power-generation business." In 2010, Kansai Electric started surveys toward replacing an aging reactor at the plant. But they were suspended after the Fukushima Daiichi crisis the following year. Two reactors at Mihama were decommissioned in 2015. The utility's move to restart surveys comes as the government approved a new basic energy plan earlier this year that calls for maximum use of nuclear power alongside renewables. The government had been trying to reduce dependence on nuclear energy after the 2011 accident. A geological survey is the first step for the construction of a new reactor. But Kansai Electric says it will not decide whether to proceed based solely on the results of the studies.
NHK
6 days ago
- Business
- NHK
Japan's Mihama nuclear power operator mulling surveys for new plant
The operator of the Mihama nuclear power plant on the Sea of Japan coast is considering resuming geological surveys for the construction of a new plant. If realized, a new reactor would be the first of its kind in Japan since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. Kansai Electric Power Company began conducting such surveys on the plant's premises in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, in 2010. But the work was suspended after the 2011 accident at the Fukushima plant. Sources say the operator is planning to make an announcement soon about the resumption and explain it to prefectural and other authorities. The company says it is about time to consider building a new plant, but that nothing has been decided at this point. The Mihama plant scrapped its No.1 and No.2 nuclear reactors. The Japanese government had not planned to increase the number of nuclear power plants, but now seeks to maximize the use of nuclear power. The country's basic energy plan laid out in February promotes the development of next-generation reactors within the sites of operators with nuclear plants set to be decommissioned.
