A Japanese nuclear reactor at the Onagawa power plant, which survived the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the Fukushima plant, has been restarted for the first time since the disaster. The No. 2 reactor at the Onagawa plant, located on Japan's northern coast, is set to begin generating power in early November following a safety upgrade by operator Tohoku Electric Power Co.
The Onagawa plant, situated 100 kilometers north of the Fukushima Daiichi plant, managed to withstand a 13-meter tsunami post the 2011 disaster and maintained the functionality of its cooling systems in all three reactors, ensuring safe shutdowns.
After the Fukushima incident, all 54 of Japan's commercial nuclear power plants were shut down for safety assessments and enhancements. The restart of the Onagawa No. 2 reactor marks the 13th operational reactor out of the 33 that are still usable in Japan, and it is the first of its kind to be restarted since Fukushima.
Tohoku Electric's President highlighted the significance of the reactor's restart in showcasing the region's recovery from the disaster. The Japanese government's recent energy plan aims to maximize nuclear energy usage, accelerate reactor restarts, extend the lifespan of aging plants, and develop next-generation reactors to ensure a stable energy supply and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Chief Cabinet Secretary emphasized the importance of nuclear energy in the decarbonization process, alongside renewables, to meet environmental goals. The recent earthquake in Japan's Noto Peninsula raised concerns about nuclear facility safety, prompting a focus on stringent safety measures.
Tohoku Electric began safety upgrades for the Onagawa No. 2 reactor in 2013, including tsunami risk assessments and anti-quake measures. The installation of a 29-meter anti-tsunami wall and safety approvals from regulators in 2020 were part of the enhancements.
Currently, 21 of Japan's nuclear reactors, including those at Fukushima Daiichi and Onagawa, are undergoing decommissioning due to operators opting to retire them rather than invest in additional safety measures as per post-Fukushima standards.
