Japanese utility Chugoku Electric Power has postponed the restart of its 820MW Shimane No.2 nuclear reactor in western Japan's Shimane prefecture from August to December, as reinforcement works are taking longer than expected.
The reinforcement works are taking longer, as the utility is also conducting facility inspections to prepare to reactivate the reactor after an extended closure since January 2012 for stricter nuclear safety inspections, said Chugoku on 30 April.
Chugoku previously planned to complete the reinforcement works in May, but has now postponed this to October. The utility had aimed to begin normal operations at the reactor in September, but has now delayed it to January 2025. Chugoku had previously modified the restart schedule multiple times.
The return of the Shimane No.2 reactor could have helped Chugoku reduce its reliance on thermal generation fuels including oil, LNG and coal, especially during the peak power demand season of summer.
Chugoku is currently building the 1,373MW No.3 reactor at Shimane, aiming to complete its safety-enhanced construction sometime during April-September 2025. The company has filed an application with the Nuclear Regulation Authority for a safety screening of the No.3 reactor. Its 460MW Shimane No.1 reactor was scrapped in April 2015.
