» Takahama nuclear plant cleared the initial safety checkup

2014/12/17

Two idled nuclear reactors owned by Kansai Electric Power Co. cleared the initial safety hurdle to being brought back online, possibly next year, bolstering the government’s plan to revive atomic power following the 2011 Fukushima crisis.

The Nos. 3 and 4 units at the Takahama nuclear plant, located on the Sea of Japan coast in Fukui Prefecture, western Japan, follow two reactors operated by Kyushu Electric Power Co. in passing the nuclear regulator’s tighter safety requirements, introduced after the Fukushima accident.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority decision-making panel approved Kansai Electric’s enhanced safety measures against possible earthquake and tsunami hazards as well as other severe accidents that could affect the plant. The regulator will give a formal safety clearance to the utility after a monthlong public consultation period through Jan. 16.

NRA Chairman Shunichi Tanaka said the regulator has confirmed the plant’s compatibility with the new regulatory standards, however, he urged Kansai Electric to make continued efforts to enhance safety.

<Media Report>
2 KEPCO reactors clear major safety hurdle toward resumption (Mainichi Newspaper)

Tags:news, restart of nuclear reactors

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