Japan’s JAPC to extend Tokai Daini reactor safety work

Japanese nuclear power operator Japan Atomic Power (JAPC) is likely to face a delay in completion of safety reinforcement work at the Tokai Daini reactor to an unspecified date.

JAPC was required by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to modify reinforcement work of the 1,100MW Tokai Dani reactor's seawall in east Japan's Ibaraki prefecture, as its foundations were identified to have technical issues. JAPC explained to NRA its plan to fix the issues on 7 August but said it will be difficult to complete the reinforcement work by September, as previously targeted.

It is also unsure when it can resume operations at Tokai Daini. The reactor, which was built in 1978, has been closed since March 2011 when a devastating earthquake and tsunami and several subsequent nuclear meltdowns hit northeast Japan's Fukushima.

JAPC has previously postponed completion of safety reinforcement work at Tokai Daini, previously aiming for a December 2022 completion.

Japanese utility Tohoku Electric Power has also delayed a planned restart of the 825MW Onagawa No.2 nuclear reactor from September to November. It revised the fuel loading schedule for the Onagawa reactor in northeast Japan's Miyagi prefecture to September from a previously targeted July. It said it will need more time to ensure the smooth transportation of portable equipment such as water trucks needed to cool down the reactor, in case of emergencies such as earthquakes.

Delays in nuclear reactor restarts are expected to maintain demand for thermal fuels like LNG and coal. Japan's LNG consumption for power generation totalled 10.5mn t during January-March, according to trade and industry ministry data. Coal use for power generation was 27.4mn t during the period.

By Nanami Oki