Niigata governor to rule on restart of world’s biggest nuclear plant

Japan is awaiting a decision on Friday from Niigata Prefecture Governor Hideyo Hanazumi on whether the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant can restart some reactors for the first time since the Fukushima disaster.

The announcement, due at 4 p.m. (0700 GMT), will determine whether Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) can move ahead with plans to relaunch units 6 and 7 at the facility, which can generate 2,710 megawatts—about a third of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa’s 8,212-MW capacity.

Approval would clear the last major hurdle for TEPCO, marking its first nuclear restart since the March 2011 tsunami destroyed Fukushima Daiichi and triggered the shutdown of all 54 reactors then in operation. 

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said she backs further nuclear restarts to strengthen energy security, with imported fuel still providing 60 % to 70 % of Japan’s electricity. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said on Friday the restart was “extremely important” for reducing power costs and securing low-carbon supply.

It was unclear whether Governor Hanazumi’s decision might be influenced by a report issued on Thursday by Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority, which found inadequate management of confidential security documents at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa.

TEPCO has said it plans to decommission some of the plant’s remaining five units. In July, Kansai Electric Power said it had begun surveys for what would be Japan’s first new reactor project since 2011.

TEPCO shares were down 1.3 % on Friday, outperforming the Nikkei index, which fell 2.3 %.

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