Japan’s nuclear regulator approved an extension of operations for a 40-year-old reactor in Ibaraki Prefecture that has the same basic design as those that melted down in the Fukushima crisis nearly eight years ago, a move that is likely to be controversial. The reactor, Tokai Daini, is
Japan’s nuclear regulator approved an extension of operations for a 40-year-old reactor in Ibaraki Prefecture that has the same basic design as those that melted down in the Fukushima crisis nearly eight years ago, a move that is likely to be controversial.
The reactor, Tokai Daini, is the first boiling water reactor (BWR) to be approved for a lifetime extension of 20 years. The approval will be a boost for operator, Japan Atomic Power Co, which is owned by the country’s main utilities and is bleeding cash because of the shutdown of its two nuclear power units.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority approved the extension at a meeting of its commissioners on Wednesday, it said.
Japan Atomic must complete safety upgrades, and a company spokesman told Reuters the nuclear operator will build a tsunami protection wall to fortify Tokai Daini.
