Kansai Electric Plans Geological Survey for New Nuclear Reactor at Mihama Plant

Kansai Electric Power Co. has declared its intention to initiate a geological survey aimed at replacing a nuclear reactor at the Mihama nuclear power facility located along the Sea of Japan coast. This development signifies the first move to introduce a new reactor since the catastrophic Fukushima disaster of 2011, as currently, only the No. 3 unit at the station is operational, with plans to decommission the other two units.

Historically, Japan has refrained from constructing new reactors since the commissioning of the No. 3 unit at Hokkaido Electric Power Co.’s Tomari plant in 2009. Kansai Electric’s president, Nozomu Mori, indicated during a press conference in Osaka that the company would work closely with local communities to explain and gain support for the survey process. Additionally, a senior official from Kansai Electric met with Fukui Vice Governor Yasuhiro Nakamura, who emphasized the necessity for transparent communication with residents regarding the plans.

Local sentiment appears mixed; while the town of Mihama has shown enthusiasm for the reactor project, urging swift development, some assembly members and residents express serious concerns. Yuki Sakimoto, a managing director at a Mihama construction firm, acknowledged there could be economic advantages to having the reactor, particularly in enhancing local infrastructure. He pointed out the potential fiscal struggles of the town without nuclear power, given the lack of diverse industries.

Conversely, assembly member Takeshi Komoto raised alarms about the proposal, citing unresolved nuclear waste management issues as a major obstacle. In 2010, Kansai Electric had previously embarked on plans to replace an aging reactor but had to suspend further actions following the 2011 nuclear disaster that left public opinion against nuclear energy souring. The national government has, for some time, steered clear of advocating for the construction of new reactors due to the fallout from Fukushima, yet is now revisiting the concept as electricity demand is projected to rise in the future.

In its revised basic energy plan, introduced in February, the government has indicated a renewed stance towards nuclear energy. However, the rigorous safety standards established by the Nuclear Regulation Authority post-Fukushima mean that Kansai Electric will likely need to restart the entire survey process. If the site is found appropriate, the utility will then need to develop an initial design and seek regulatory approval before actual construction can begin. Furthermore, the government is endorsing the development of advanced, next-generation reactor models that promise greater safety against both natural disasters and terrorist threats, with Kansai Electric collaborating with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and others on this initiative.