Japan is in the process of expanding its nuclear energy after 13 years of the Fukushima accident. However, the problems in reopening its nuclear reactors are increasing. Recently, and for the first time since the Nuclear Regulation Authority was created in 2012, a nuclear reactor has been completely disqualified from restarting.
What has happened? The NRA has declared that the No. 2 reactor at Japan Atomic Power’s Tsuruga nuclear plant in Fukui Prefecture does not meet the country’s new safety standards.
The argument, which has gone through a public comment period, has concluded in this decision after an evaluation process of almost nine years.
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Why didn’t he pass the tests? The nuclear plant operating company requested a review from the NRA with the aim of restarting the plant. However, in testing, the authority declared it unsuitable because the operator did not address the safety risks arising from the active fault, which is located about 300 meters to the north and extends below the facility.
As reported in the public media NHK, the president of the NRA has indicated that it was the first sanction since the establishment of the commission and they have carried out an “exhaustive technical and scientific examination.” In addition, he has thrown a dart at the Japan Atomic Power company stating that the form contained errors and the data had been rewritten, which “was extremely abnormal.”
Will you reapply? Japan Atomic Power Company has indicated that it will submit a new application after conducting additional investigation. The Regulatory Commission has indicated that they must meet all the criteria, not just the activity of the failure.
In statements to NHK, the operator has expressed disappointment, but they will continue working towards the submission of a new application. Additionally, the president and vice president have said they will voluntarily return 50% of their executive compensation.
It should be added that in 2013, the company rejected the results of the NRA panel’s on-site inspection, which concluded that the faults in this reactor were active and requested a restart in 2015.
Active faults. A terrible earthquake of magnitude 7.6 devastated Japan at the beginning of the year, where more than 400 people lost their lives. The epicenter in Ishikawa Prefecture had two nuclear facilities nearby, raising concerns about safety and the government’s push for this energy.
Searching for molten fuel. Although some reactors cannot be reactivated due to the problems they entail. Japan continues to work on the process of finding molten fuel from the Fukushima No. 2 primary reactor. The object of the study is to assess how the plant materials have degraded.
In general assessment, of more than 50 commercial reactors, 27 have requested restarts and 17 have been approved under the post-Fukushima safety standard. We will have to wait to know what will happen with the Tsuruga No. 2 reactor.
Image | NRA
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