ID :
181819
Thu, 05/12/2011 - 18:18
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/181819
The shortlink copeid
Work to halt Hamaoka reactors to start early Friday: Chubu Electric
NAGOYA (Kyodo) - Chubu Electric Power Co. said Thursday it would begin work the following day to take offline the two operating reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power station in Shizuoka Prefecture, starting with the No. 4 unit, followed by the No. 5 unit Saturday.
Chubu Electric, which had agreed to halt the two reactors for earthquake safety reasons in compliance with a government request, terminated Wednesday almost all of its provision of excess power capacity to Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Kyushu Electric Power Co.
Power output at the No. 4 unit will be gradually reduced starting around 3:30 a.m. Friday, with operations at the reactor expected to shut down around 3 p.m. that day. The same procedure will take place at the No. 5 reactor from about 1:20 a.m. Saturday, with full suspension expected around 1 p.m. the same day.
To secure stable power supply, Chubu Electric aims to step up electricity generation at its thermal power plants. It has sought support from the government to help address difficulties it will face as a result of shutting down the only nuclear power plant it owns.
In response, industry minister Banri Kaieda pledged ''utmost support'' for the utility in a written statement issued Wednesday. He also said the government would affirm necessary anti-tsunami measures such as securing watertight reactor buildings, in addition to constructing enhanced coastal levees, should such steps be deemed necessary based on lessons learnt from the ongoing nuclear crisis at Tokyo Electric's Fukushima Daiichi power plant.
As Japan struggles to contain the situation at the Fukushima station more than two months since it was crippled by the March 11 mega quake and tsunami, the government wanted the Hamaoka plant -- located near a major fault -- suspended to prevent another accident should an earthquake strike.
But many in Japan fear the shutdown could lead to power shortages, which could deal a blow to the economy as major industrial facilities, including those of Toyota Motor Corp. and Sony Corp., are located in the utility's service area in central Japan.
Chubu Electric, which had agreed to halt the two reactors for earthquake safety reasons in compliance with a government request, terminated Wednesday almost all of its provision of excess power capacity to Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Kyushu Electric Power Co.
Power output at the No. 4 unit will be gradually reduced starting around 3:30 a.m. Friday, with operations at the reactor expected to shut down around 3 p.m. that day. The same procedure will take place at the No. 5 reactor from about 1:20 a.m. Saturday, with full suspension expected around 1 p.m. the same day.
To secure stable power supply, Chubu Electric aims to step up electricity generation at its thermal power plants. It has sought support from the government to help address difficulties it will face as a result of shutting down the only nuclear power plant it owns.
In response, industry minister Banri Kaieda pledged ''utmost support'' for the utility in a written statement issued Wednesday. He also said the government would affirm necessary anti-tsunami measures such as securing watertight reactor buildings, in addition to constructing enhanced coastal levees, should such steps be deemed necessary based on lessons learnt from the ongoing nuclear crisis at Tokyo Electric's Fukushima Daiichi power plant.
As Japan struggles to contain the situation at the Fukushima station more than two months since it was crippled by the March 11 mega quake and tsunami, the government wanted the Hamaoka plant -- located near a major fault -- suspended to prevent another accident should an earthquake strike.
But many in Japan fear the shutdown could lead to power shortages, which could deal a blow to the economy as major industrial facilities, including those of Toyota Motor Corp. and Sony Corp., are located in the utility's service area in central Japan.
