Satsumai Sendai applies for inspection

March 18, 2015

A reactor to be inspected under new regulations

Mar. 18, 2015 - Updated 05:11 UTC+1

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20150318_19.html

The operator of a nuclear power plant in Satsuma Sendai, southwestern Japan, may be able to restart one of its reactors as early as June.

On Wednesday, Kyushu Electric Power Company obtained approval from the Nuclear Regulation Authority of its equipment design documents for the Number 1 reactor. The documents involve an assessment of the earthquake resistance of the facilities and equipment.

As a result, the utility is expected to apply for an onsite NRA inspection as soon as Thursday.

Referring to the inspection, NRA Chairman Shunichi Tanaka said there is still important work to be done before the reactor can resume operation.
He suggested that both the regulators and the utility be well prepared, as the inspection will cover many new facilities and require detailed checks.

The inspection is expected to take around 2 months, including preparation. It may take longer, since the reactor has been idle for a long time.

Last September, the plant's Number 1 and 2 reactors became the first in Japan to clear the new, tougher regulations introduced after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident.

Kyushu Electric has yet to submit documents on the designs of an emergency power generator and equipment shared with the Number 2 reactor. The operator will likely present the documents in April.

All of Japan's nuclear reactors are currently offline.