China News Network, September 9 According to Japan's Kyodo News Agency, on the 16th local time, Japan's Kansai Electric Power Company started the reactor of Unit 15 of the Takahama Nuclear Power Plant (located in Takahama-cho, Fukui Prefecture, 2,82 kilowatts). This is the 6th nuclear power unit to be restarted in Japan since the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. At present, all seven units of the nuclear power plant have been restarted.
Image source: Screenshot of Japan's Kyodo News report
According to reports, the Takahama No. 2 unit has been in operation since 1975, entered regular inspections in November 2011, and has been in operation again after about 11 years, and has been in operation for 12 years. In Japan, this unit is the "old" unit after Takahama No. 47 unit. Unit 1 was restarted in July 1, marking the 2023 years since it began operation. After Sekiden Mihama Nuclear Power Plant Unit 7 (Mihama-cho, Fukui Prefecture) and Takahama Unit 48, Takahama Unit 3 is the third nuclear power plant that has been in operation for more than 1 years.
The Takahama Unit 2 is expected to start operations on October 10, Guan said. Fukui Prefecture Governor Tatsuharu Sugimoto said, "All nuclear power units that have been shut down have been restarted. Operating companies must be more cautious and strive for safe operation to gain the trust of the prefectural citizens in nuclear energy. ”
According to reports, the Kishida administration proposed to maximize the use of nuclear power plants in 2022, and in May 2023, a bill was passed to allow nuclear power plants to be operated for more than 5 years. However, how to improve the safety of "aging" nuclear power plants and ensure that the spent fuel that continues to accumulate in the nuclear power plant area is a challenge.