Sendai-2 Returns to Normal Operation

At 4:00 p.m. on November 17, the Sendai-2 Nuclear Power Plant (PWR, 890MWe), owned and operated by the Kyushu Electric Power Co., returned to regular commercial operation. After having its operation adjusted over a fixed period of time, the reactor then completed an integrated performance test by Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA).

This is the second NPP in the country, following its sister reactor Sendai-1, to clear the new regulatory standards.

Toward resuming the operation of the two units, Kyushu Electric Power applied to the NRA in July 2013 for examinations to be held to confirm their compatibility with the new regulatory standards. As the units were designated as NPPs to be examined “with priority,” their examinations were carried out intensively, with permission granted for changes to their reactor installations related to basic design on September 10, 2014.

One year later, on September 10, 2015, Sendai-1 resumed commercial operation. On October 15, then, Sendai-2 was started up, and resumed power generation six days later, on October 21.

Besides those two units, Ikata-3, owned and operated by the Shikoku Electric Power Co., and Takahama-3 and -4, owned and operated by the Kansai Electric Power Co., have received permission for their basic designs to be changed. Another 21 reactors are also undergoing similar examinations of compatibility with the new regulatory standards.

NPPs

Regulation & Safety