[Kyodo News, June 26]The Atomic Energy Regulation Authority of Japan approved the management plan for Kansai Electric Power Company’s Ohi Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 (Fukui Prefecture), which have been in operation for more than 30 years, until the end of their 40th year of operation at a regular meeting on the 26th. All five members agreed. This is the first approval of the procedure adopted with the introduction of a new system that allows operation for more than 60 years.

In light of the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the operating period of a nuclear power plant is set at 40 years in principle and 60 years at most, but with the introduction of a new system by the Kishida government, restrictions on operations exceeding 30 years have also been strengthened.

Under the new system to be introduced in June 2025, power companies will need to formulate a “long-term facility management plan” that summarizes the methods for confirming the aging status of facilities and necessary measures every 10 years after 30 years of operation, and obtain approval from the Regulatory Commission.

The Daihan 3 and 4 units have been in operation for more than 32 and 31 years respectively. The procedures for operation for more than 30 years under the current system have been completed.

Among the nuclear power units that have been restarted, there are 11 units in six nuclear power plants that have been in operation for more than 30 years when the new system was introduced, including Units 3 and 4 of Oi. In addition, there are several nuclear power units that have been in operation for more than 40 years, including Unit 1 of Kanden Takahama (Fukui Prefecture). (End)