Chugoku Electric Power Delays Restart of Shimane Nuclear Reactor Due to Incomplete Safety Measures

Chugoku Electric Power Co. has announced that it will postpone the restart of the No. 2 reactor at its Shimane nuclear power plant in Matsue, Japan, from the previously scheduled August 2024 to December 2024 or later. The company cited extended safety construction work and inspections as the reasons for the postponement.

According to the revised application for pre-operational confirmation submitted to the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), Chugoku Electric Power now plans to begin fuel loading in October 2024, with the reactor start-up scheduled for December 2024 and the resumption of commercial operation in January 2025.

The postponement in restarting the reactor is expected to result in an increase in material costs due to a decrease in the nuclear capacity factor. Chugoku Electric Power has stated that it will address these financial implications in its forecasts for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.

Why this matters: The postponement in restarting the Shimane nuclear reactor highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Japan's nuclear power industry in meeting stringent safety requirements implemented after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The delay also underscores the financial impact on utility companies as they navigate the complex process of bringing reactors back online.

The Shimane nuclear power plant's No. 2 reactor has been offline since 2012, following the nationwide shutdown of nuclear reactors in the wake of the Fukushima accident. Chugoku Electric Power has been working to implement the necessary safety measures and obtain regulatory approval to restart the reactor. However, the company acknowledged that the safety construction work and inspections have taken longer than initially anticipated, leading to the delay in the restart timeline.

Key Takeaways

• Chugoku Electric Power postpones restart of Shimane nuclear reactor to Dec 2024 or later.
• Delay due to extended safety construction work and inspections required by nuclear regulator.
• Postponement expected to increase material costs due to lower nuclear capacity factor.
• Delay highlights ongoing challenges for Japan's nuclear industry in meeting post-Fukushima safety rules.
• Delay underscores financial impact on utility companies in restarting nuclear reactors.