Kansai Electric Power Co’s Ohi nuclear power plant (from R-L) No.1, No. 2. No. 3 and No. 4 reactors are seen in Ohi, Fukui prefecture, January 26, 2012. REUTERS/Issei Kato
Kansai Electric Power Co said on Friday that it will seek regulatory approval to extend the life of its Takahama No. 3 and 4 nuclear reactors to 60 years.
Japan has, in a bid to cope with soaring energy prices, said it will extend the lifespan of existing reactors as well as restart more idled nuclear plants and consider developing next-generation reactors, a major policy shift on nuclear energy a decade after the Fukushima disaster.
A nuclear power reactor can, in principle, be operated for 40 years under current regulations, but this can be extended for up to 20 years on a one-time basis.
The company said in a statement that inspections had found nothing significant that might cause problems if the operation period was extended.
Kansai Electric has previously made a similar request, which was granted, as have Kyushu Electric Power Co (9508.T) and Japan Atomic Power Company.
Source: Reuters
