Tokyo: The Japanese government today
allowed the demolition of two obsolete nuclear reactors,
clearing the way for their replacement by new ones.
This is the first such project associated with the
Japenese government policy to get power companies to rebuild
new reactors to replace old ones being decommissioned.
The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency gave the green
signal to Chubu Electric Power Co to carry out its plan to
demolish obsolete nuclear reactors at its Hamaoka power
station in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan.
The No. 1 and No. 2 reactors at the Hamaoka plants
started operations in the 1970s and have already been shut
down after a series of troubles.
Chubu Electric Power has decided to scrap them because
massive expenses are required to improve their safety for a
restart, and instead replace them with a new reactor. The
safety agency said they are the first boiling light-water
reactors to be demolished in Japan.
According to the plan submitted to the Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry, the company will research
radioactive contamination levels before beginning in 2015 to
scrap facilities surrounding the reactors. The work to
demolish the reactors themselves will be conducted between
2023 and 2036.
The planned No. 6 reactor will be a new type of
boiling-water reactor capable of generating 1.4 million
kilowatts. It is expected to begin operations in 2018 or later
after building work starts in 2015.
Bureau Report
