When the units are restarted, they will be the second and third domestic nuclear power plants (NPPs) to have been in service for more than 40 years, following Kansai EP’s Mihama-3 (PWR, 826MWe), which resumed commercial operation in July 2021. Takahama-1 and -2 went into service in 1974 and 1975, respectively, but have both been shut down since 2011.
In March 2015, Kansai EP filed applications for Takahama-1 and -2, together with Mihama-3, with the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) for safety examinations for compliance with the new regulatory standards. In April 2015, it then submitted applications for extensions of the operating lifetimes of Takahama-1 and -2 for up to 60 years.
In April 2016, permission was granted to Kansai EP to make changes in the reactor installations (basic design approvals) of both reactors. Consent to restart was given by Takahama Town in February 2021, and by Fukui Prefecture in April 2021. Work related to safety measures was also completed.
An emergency response building referred to in the standards as a specific safety facility―that is, a permanent backup facility to be used in the event of an intentional aircraft strike or other terrorist attack―is expected to be in service in the middle of July at Takahama-1 and at the end of August at Takahama-2. The units are expected to start adjustment operations (i.e., resume generation) in early August and mid-September, respectively.
Kansai EP released the following comment on the planned restart of Takahama-1 and -2: “The company will conduct comprehensive inspections, etc., to prevent future problems and will carry out procedures in a self-disciplined manner, and with safety as the top priority.”
