information about Fukushima published in English in Japanese media info publiée en anglais dans la presse japonaise
10 Juillet 2012
July 10, 2012
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120709004611.htm
The No. 3 reactor at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture resumed full operations early Monday, the utility said.
The 1.18 million kilowatt reactor increased its output to 100 percent at 1 a.m., becoming the first reactor to attain full capacity since the No. 3 reactor at Hokkaido Electric Power Co.'s plant in Tomari, Hokkaido, suspended operations for scheduled inspections May 5.
Due to the increased power output, the government will reportedly reduce a voluntary summer power-saving target for the region covered by KEPCO on Tuesday. The government had previously requested at least 15 percent cuts from 2010 levels in KEPCO's service area from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. The revised figure will only ask for a 10 percent reduction, sources said.
The reactor is the first to return to full capacity after regular inspections since the crisis broke out at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant on March 11, 2011.
Having the No. 3 reactor back up to speed will allow KEPCO to generate an additional 530,000 kilowatts through supplemental storage power generation using surplus nuclear power generated during off-peak hours, in addition to the reactor's original capacity.
It was thought the Kansai region would face a 15.7 percent power shortage during peak hours if hit by a severe heat wave similar to what was seen in 2010. However, with the reactor back online, this figure declines to 10 percent. If the No. 4 reactor at the nuclear plant resumes full operations, which could happen as early as July 25, experts believe the region will be nearly into the black in terms of electricity.
The No. 3 reactor restarted July 1, and resumed power generation and electricity transmission last Thursday, gradually increasing power output.
A smack of jellyfish clogged the reactor's seawater intake Sunday afternoon and prevented it from taking in sufficient cooling water, but the jellyfish were removed and the reactor resumed operations that night.
Commenting on the reactor attaining full capacity, Fukui Gov. Issei Nishikawa said in a statement, "Through continued safe operations, I hope nuclear power can regain the public's trust, and that the restart of this reactor will become the first step in practical discussions on the use of nuclear power as a reliable energy source."
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Kansai power cuts to be eased
Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura announced Monday the government will relax power-saving targets in service areas of the Kansai, Chubu, Hokuriku and Chugoku electric power companies beginning Tuesday, as the No. 3 reactor at the Oi nuclear power plant has resumed full operations.
KEPCO's target rate will be cut to 10 percent from the original 15 percent reduction from the power consumption level for the summer of 2010. The government had asked Chubu, Hokuriku and Chugoku power companies to set a 5 percent power-saving target. This rate will be reduced to 4 percent for Chubu and Hokuriku power companies, while Chugoku Electric's target will be cut to 3 percent.
The three firms had been asked to observe the 5 percent energy-saving rate because they have to supply electricity to KEPCO.
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