Japan govt agency approves scrapping nuke reactors

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 20:14

Tags: nuke reactors, Govt agency

Japan govt agency approves scrapping nuke reactors

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

First Published: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 20:14