Japan to restart world's largest nuclear power plant

The move marks a major step forward for Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) to restart the world's largest nuclear facility more than a decade after the Fukushima accident.

According to Kyodo, Mr. Hanazumi could announce the decision as early as November 21, after considering a proposal to partially resume operations at the plant. The decision will be made during the prefectural assembly's regular session from December 2. If the assembly supports it, the governor will meet the central government 's request for approval, the Nikkei daily said.

untitled(3).png — The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant was completely shut down after the 2007 earthquake. Photo: CC/Wiki

Tepco is preparing to bring Units 6 and 7 – the two largest units with a combined capacity of 2,710 MW – into operation, while considering shutting down some of the remaining five units. The plant has a total capacity of 8,212 MW. In October, Tepco completed a post-refueling inspection of Unit 6 and said its main systems were operating normally.

To shore up local support, Tepco has pledged 100 billion yen (about $644 million) in support. If approved, the restart would fit with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s policy of increasing the number of nuclear plants back online to ensure energy security.

The partial restart of the plant is expected to reduce LNG import costs for Japan, the world’s second-largest LNG buyer, as the government prioritizes reducing the cost of living. As of the end of October, Japan had restarted 11 reactors with a total capacity of 10,647 MW. Before the Fukushima disaster in 2011, the country had a total of 54 reactors in operation.

Source: https://congluan.vn/nhat-ban-sap-khoi-dong-lai-nha-may-dien-hat-nhan-lon-nhat-the-gioi-10318400.html