Latest revised safety plan

October 31, 2014

KEPCO submits revised Takahama safety plan

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20141031_31.html

Oct. 31, 2014 - Updated 11:27 UTC+1

The operator of the Takahama power plant on the Sea of Japan coast has submitted a report on revised safety measures to the country's nuclear regulator to restart 2 reactors.

Officials of Kansai Electric Power Company on Friday submitted to the Nuclear Regulation Authority a 7,700-page report for the plant's Number 3 and 4 reactors.

The utility revised the measures based on advice from the NRA concerning new safety regulations that took effect in July last year.

The revisions include higher maximum levels of tremors and tsunamis resulting from possible earthquakes.

Kansai Electric raised its estimate for tremors from 550 gals to 700, and that for tsunami height from 2.6 meters to 6.7.

The utility plans to install a large water pump and equipment for preventing hydrogen explosions.

The regulator is expected to draft a preliminary plan to pave the way for resuming the plant's operations. The plan is to be made public this year.

But before a restart, the utility must obtain approval by local municipalities and complete equipment inspections and other procedures. The process is expected to take at least until next spring.

Takahama would be the second plant to have a preliminary regulation plan drafted by the nuclear authority, following the Sendai plant in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan.