Japan's 'Decarbonization' Effort: First Restart of Nuclear Plant Over 40 Years Old

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Hee-jong] A nuclear power plant that has been operating in Japan for over 40 years is being restarted for the first time.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on the 23rd, Kansai Electric Power began restarting Mihama Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3, located in Fukui Prefecture, which has been in operation for over 40 years, at 10 a.m. that day.

Japan introduced the "40-year nuclear power plant rule," which, based on the "Reactor Regulation Act" implemented in July 2013 after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, sets the operational period of nuclear power plants to 40 years in principle. After 40 years, the lifespan can be extended once for up to 20 years if the plant passes strengthened regulatory standards for natural disaster and accident countermeasures and obtains consent from the relevant local government.

Nihon Keizai explained, "The restart of a reactor over 40 years old in Japan is the first since this rule was introduced, with Mihama Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3."

Mihama Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3, which began operation in March 1976, is a pressurized water reactor (PWR) with a rated output of 826,000 kW.

Mihama Unit 3 was shut down following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant explosion accident but passed safety standard reviews in 2016, extending its lifespan by 20 years until 2036.

Kansai Electric Power, the operator of this plant, obtained consent from the relevant local government (Fukui Prefecture) in April this year as the final step for restarting and has been preparing for the restart. Kansai Electric plans to enter commercial operation from July 27 after one month of adjustment operation.

However, the construction of anti-terrorism facilities, which became mandatory under the new regulatory standards, will not be completed by the October 25 deadline this year, leading to another shutdown starting October 23.

Kyodo News analyzed that although the restart of Mihama Unit 3 will be a short-term operation lasting four months, it signifies the beginning of the "60-year nuclear power plant operation era" in the year marking the 10th anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi accident.

In Japan, which experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake, there is strong negative sentiment toward nuclear power plant operation. According to a recent postal opinion poll by Kyodo News targeting 1,970 voters aged 18 and older nationwide, 68% responded that nuclear power plants should be gradually reduced to zero (complete phase-out). Including those who said they want an immediate phase-out (8%), a total of 76% of respondents favor a denuclearization policy.

Despite safety concerns, nuclear power plants are being restarted because they are indispensable for pursuing carbon-zero policies. Nihon Keizai stated, "Nuclear power is important to achieve the two goals of decarbonization and stable power supply," adding, "Safety assurance must precede for aging nuclear power plants."

Before the Fukushima Daiichi accident, a total of 54 reactors were operating in Japan, but following the accident, all were shut down, and as of May this year, only nine reactors (across five nuclear power plants) have resumed operation.

According to the policy goal of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to realize a decarbonized society by 2050, the Japanese government plans to maintain a nuclear power generation ratio of around 20-22% as a power supply source. Currently, nuclear power contributes about 6% of total power production, so to meet this plan, at least 16 additional reactors need to be operated.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.