Japan set to restart first boiling water reactor since Fukushima

Chugoku Electric Power Company is gearing up to restart unit 2 of its Shimane nuclear power plant, marking a significant milestone as it prepares to become Japan’s first boiling water reactor (BWR) to resume operations since the Fukushima disaster. After being offline for over a decade, this reactor is slated to come back online in early December 2023, with power generation expected to commence later that month, as reported by WNN.

The path to this moment has been fraught with regulatory hurdles and safety assessments. Following the revised regulations imposed by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) in July 2013, Chugoku applied for inspections to ensure that Shimane unit 2 complied with stringent safety standards designed to mitigate risks from natural disasters and severe accidents. This comprehensive regulatory framework was developed in response to the catastrophic events at Fukushima, which underscored the need for enhanced safety measures across the country’s nuclear fleet.

Significant upgrades have been made at the Shimane facility, including the construction of a robust 15-metre-high sea wall to shield the plant from potential tsunamis, alongside preparations for any volcanic activity from nearby Mount Sanbe. In June 2021, the NRA validated that Shimane unit 2 met the new standards, officially confirming its safety in September of the same year after a public consultation process. This milestone made it the fifth BWR in Japan to clear the regulatory hurdles necessary for a restart.

Local community approval has been crucial in this process. In June 2022, the governor of Shimane prefecture granted the final nod after endorsements from the cities of Matsue, Izumo, Yasugi, and Unnan. Following a slight delay from an initial August restart target, Chugoku has outlined a new schedule, planning to load fuel into the reactor by October 28, with the operational restart anticipated for early December.

Chugoku has underscored its commitment to safety throughout this process, vowing to conduct rigorous pre-operational inspections in collaboration with the NRA. With eleven reactors already back online in Japan, all of which are pressurised water reactors, the restart of Shimane unit 2 will be a notable development for Japan’s nuclear energy landscape, highlighting a cautious return to nuclear power as the country grapples with energy security and sustainability goals.

As Japan navigates this new chapter, the successful restart of Shimane unit 2 could pave the way for the further revival of nuclear energy in the country, demonstrating a potential shift towards greater reliance on nuclear power amidst an evolving energy market.