Safer path for Oi plant?

 April 23, 2014

Ohi nuclear plant operator tightens safety

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140423_41.html 

The operator of the Ohi nuclear power plant in central Japan has submitted to regulators a revised estimate for tremors from potential earthquakes at the plant.

Kansai Electric Power Company was aiming at an early restart of the off-line plant. But the revision concerning the possible impact of a quake would require additional reinforcement. This could take time.

The revision was demanded by the country's Nuclear Regulation Authority in its safety screening, a precondition for the plant's restart.

The utility on Wednesday revised the depth of the potential epicenter of a nearby quake from 4 kilometers to 3 kilometers. This means a stronger tremor would shake the plant.

NRA Commissioner Kunihiko Shimazaki approved of Kansai Electric Power's decision, calling it a safer path.

The revision would require the operator to spend significant time strengthening the plant's facilities. The utility will be facing a summer without nuclear power for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster as another plant also needs to clear similar hurdle.

The Ohi plant was allowed to operate for 14 months through September last year as an exceptional case to cover Osaka and surrounding areas' demand for electricity after the Fukushima Diichi disaster.

The plant is one of the first 6 nuclear power plants to apply for the tightened safety screening last July.

Apr. 23, 2014 - Updated 12:30 UTC