5 old nuclear reactors headed for decommissioning scrap heap

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

Five aging nuclear reactors will be decommissioned in the near future, a move that government officials hope will increase public support for resuming operations at newer reactors.

Executives of four companies in the power generation field are now discussing decommissioning the five reactors that have reached or are nearing 40 years of operation.

Legal changes in the wake of the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in 2011 limited nuclear reactors to a 40-year operating life. Utilities will be given a one-time extension of up to 20 years if a reactor meets new tougher safety standards.

The Genkai No. 1 nuclear reactor in Saga Prefecture, operated by Kyushu Electric Power Co., will reach 40 years of operation in October 2015. Company officials have decided to decommission that reactor rather than carry out expensive work to meet the safety standards.

The other six reactors that are nearing or past the 40-year limit are operated by Kansai Electric Power Co., Chugoku Electric Power Co. and Japan Atomic Power Co.

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