Japanese utility Kyushu Electric Power is planning to restart the 890MW Sendai No.2 nuclear reactor on 30 March, to conduct test generation in the final phase of its turnaround.
Kyushu is set to reactivate the No.2 reactor at Sendai in southern Japan's Kagoshima prefecture on 28 March and reconnect it to the power grid on 30 March. Normal operations are scheduled to begin on 28 April.
Kyushu will have all four of its reactors in operation, given the return of the Sendai No.2 reactor. This is until the planned shutdown of the 1,180MW Genkai No.3 reactor on 30 June for regular maintenance.
The combined nuclear capacity of 4,140MW will help Kyushu reduce its reliance on thermal generation, especially at a time when spot LNG prices are surging because of supply disruptions from the Middle East. Seasonally weak electricity demand and relatively ample solar output during the spring shoulder season will also enable Kyushu to cut thermal generation.
The nuclear capacity could reduce LNG consumption by about 390,000 t/month, assuming an average gas-fired generation efficiency of 50pc.
