Spent Fuel Storage Concerns Addressed in Fukui Prefecture
Kansai Electric Power Co. has unveiled a revised schedule for removing spent nuclear fuel from its three operating plants in Fukui Prefecture. This move aims to alleviate concerns from local communities as storage pools at the Mihama, Oi, and Takahama plants approach capacity.
The updated plans address the delay in completing a key fuel reprocessing facility in Aomori Prefecture. The transfer of spent fuel to this facility will now begin in fiscal 2028, two years later than initially planned. A total of 198 tons of fuel is expected to be shipped to the Rokkasho facility by fiscal 2030.
To further manage the accumulating spent fuel, Kansai Electric has doubled the amount it plans to send to Orano, a French nuclear energy company, for reprocessing. The first 100 tons of this additional volume will be transported starting in fiscal 2030.
Despite these efforts, uncertainties remain. Kansai Electric still aims to build an interim storage facility outside of Fukui Prefecture, but a specific location has not been identified. The company hopes to launch this facility around 2030, potentially in partnership with Chugoku Electric Power Co. in Kaminoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. However, local opposition presents a challenge.
Even with the revised plans, the storage pools at the three nuclear plants are expected to be 95% full by March 2035. The schedule relies on the completion of the Rokkasho reprocessing plant by fiscal 2026, but this facility has already faced 27 delays.
Kansai Electric President Nozomu Mori previously indicated that if a new schedule was not presented, two reactors at the Takahama plant and one at the Mihama plant might need to be shut down. These plants, each over 40 years old, contribute significantly to the company's power generation.
The revised plans will now be reviewed by the prefecture and local municipalities for approval. This decision will have significant implications for Kansai Electric's future operations and financial standing.