Japan’s Kyushu Electric Power Co shut down unit 1 at its Sendai nuclear power plant in the Kagoshima prefecture on 16 March after failing to meet the deadline for adding post-Fukushima safety measures.

Sendai 1 was the first to go offline due to a delay in meeting the new regulations. Kyushu Electric will have to shut down Sendai 2 in May for the same reason.

The post-Fukushima regulations adopted by the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) in November 2015 require plant operators to build facilities for emergencies such within five years of an approval of construction plans by the Nuclear Regulation Authority.

Kyushu Electric aims to meet the requirement and complete other necessary safety measures for Sendai 1 by the end of 2020.

Kansai Electric Power Co is also expected to shut down two reactors at Takahama nuclear plant for several months later this year while safety upgrades are completed.

Takahama 3 will be taken offline for nearly five months from 2 August to 22 December and Takahama 4 for about four months from 7 October to 10 February 2021.  

Photo: Sendai nuclear plant