Kansai Electric Power Co.’s Ohi Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 have been approved for the first time in the country for a plan to operate for more than 30 years under the new system.

Regarding the operating period of nuclear power plants, a revision of the law in May last year effectively allowed them to be operated for more than 60 years. Under the new system, after the first 30 years of operation, management plans must be drawn up for a maximum of 10-year intervals and must be approved by the Nuclear Regulation Authority.

Kansai Electric Power Co. had submitted a plan under the new system for Units 3 and 4 of the Ohi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukui Prefecture, which have been in operation for more than 30 years, and the Nuclear Regulation Authority approved the plan on June 26.

(Kansai Electric Power President Nozomi Mori) “We will actively incorporate knowledge and expertise not only from within Japan but also from overseas, and reflect this in the design and equipment maintenance of our plants (power plants).”

The Oi Nuclear Power Plant will be the first in the country to be approved under the new system.