Yomiuri: Japanese authorities want to increase the number of working nuclear reactors from 2023 to 17

TOKYO, August 24 – RIA Novosti. The Yomiuri newspaper writes that the Japanese government plans to increase the number of nuclear reactors operating in the country to 17 by the summer of 2023, and to activate seven of the nuclear power units that have been shut down in different parts of the country.

In particular, it is planned to recommission the sixth and seventh power units of Kashiwazaki-Kariva NPP, the second power unit of Onagawa NPP, the first and second units of Takahama NPP, the second unit and the seventh units of Shimane NPP. The power unit of the Tokai-2 NPP. The operators of the Onagawa, Takahama and Shimane nuclear power plants have received the necessary approval from the local authorities and are currently completing work to improve the safety system at the plants.

In addition, as expected, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan will consider the possibility of increasing the maximum allowable lifetime of nuclear power plants. By law, the maximum life of reactors in nuclear power plants is limited to 40 years, but it can be extended for another 20 years, provided that all requirements are complied with and passed inspection.

Before the accident at the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant, nuclear power supplied 30% of Japan’s needs. In 2011, after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, a giant 15-metre high wave crashed into the Fukushima nuclear power plant, causing the biggest nuclear accident since the Chernobyl tragedy. During the accident, radiation was repeatedly released into the water and atmosphere, so far some areas near the station have become uninhabitable. It will take about 40 years to liquidate the boiler, including the dismantling of the reactors.

Currently, there are 10 power units in Japan, but only five of them generate electricity. The other five are currently undergoing additional checks.

Experts do not ignore that problems with electricity in winter will cover various regions of the country. This heating season could be the most difficult for the country since 2012, when all nuclear power plants were shut down after the earthquake and the accident at the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant. Reasons given are rising liquefied natural gas prices, increasing concerns about the stability of electricity supply.