SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Tepco considers shutting down Kashiwazaki-Kariwa’s two oldest reactors

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings is examining the permanent closure of units 1 and 2 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the oldest at the site, while continuing efforts to restart unit 6.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc (Tepco) has informed the Niigata Prefectural Assembly that it is considering the decommissioning of units 1 and 2 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, Japan’s largest, with seven reactors. The decision, still under review, will depend on its impact on overall business management, particularly the conditions for restarting unit 6, as well as the approval and cooperation of stakeholders.

Ageing reactors face economic constraints

Units 1 and 2, commissioned in February 1985 and February 1990 respectively, are 1,067 MW boiling water reactors. Despite their proven resilience to earthquakes – including the 2007 Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake and the March 2011 disaster – these reactors have been offline for several years. All reactors at the site have remained inactive since the Fukushima Daiichi accident in 2011, although Kashiwazaki-Kariwa itself did not sustain direct damage.

Strategic focus on restarting unit 6

Tepco is now focusing on restarting units 6 and 7. Fuel loading at unit 6 was completed in June, and operation could continue until September 2029, provided anti-terrorism safety measures are implemented by then. However, consent from the Niigata prefectural government is still required. Restarting the two units could generate approximately JPY100bn ($670mn) in additional annual revenue for the company.

Local pressure and regulatory timeline

In June 2017, the mayor of Kashiwazaki requested Tepco to submit a decommissioning plan for at least one of the site’s first five reactors as a condition for approving the restart of units 6 and 7. Two years later, in August 2019, Tepco submitted a report outlining a basic policy for restart and decommissioning, without specifying a timeline. At that time, the company stated it could not ensure the availability of sufficient non-fossil fuel power sources to meet long-term demand.

According to the policy, once units 6 and 7 are restarted, the shutdown of one or more of reactors 1 to 5 would be considered within five years, depending on the availability of alternative power generation capacity.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
CNOOC launches production at Weizhou 11-4 oilfield in South China Sea
BOTAŞ strengthens LNG capacity with expansion of Marmara Ereğlisi terminal
Bourbon secures five-year contract with ExxonMobil for Angola’s Block 15
Trump repeals Biden’s CAFE standards and revives combustion engine vehicles
Norway launches a commission to plan the post-oil era
Lianjiang nuclear simulator enters delivery phase after full validation
The full-scope simulator for the Lianjiang nuclear project has successfully passed factory acceptance testing, paving the way for its installation at the construction site in China's Guangdong province.
Denmark forms industrial alliance to prepare for a civil nuclear comeback
A coalition of Danish industry groups, unions and investors launches a platform in support of modular nuclear power, aiming to develop firm low-carbon capacity to sustain industrial competitiveness.
The United Kingdom launches TAE Beam UK backed by Google in fusion
The United Kingdom and TAE Technologies create a joint venture in Culham to produce neutral beams, a key component of fusion, with strategic backing from Google.
Natura Resources accelerates molten salt reactor development with DOE support
Texas-based developer Natura Resources receives new federal funding to test key components of its 100-megawatt modular reactor in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Japan set to vote on partial restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant
The Niigata regional assembly is deliberating on restarting unit 6 of the world’s largest nuclear plant, thirteen years after operations ceased following the Fukushima disaster.
Belgium: Doel 2 permanently shut down after fifty years of operation
Reactor Doel 2 was taken offline, becoming the fifth Belgian reactor to cease operations under the country’s gradual nuclear phase-out policy.
Rolls-Royce SMR strengthens nuclear cooperation with ÚJV Řež in Czechia
Rolls-Royce SMR has expanded its partnership with ÚJV Řež to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors, targeting the construction of several units in the Czech Republic and abroad.
India prepares to open its nuclear sector to private players
The Indian government aims to amend legislation to allow private companies to participate in civil nuclear development, a move positioned as critical to achieving the country’s long-term energy targets.
China completes modular construction of Xudabao 4 passive tank
The VVER-1200 nuclear reactor at Xudabao 4 in China has completed installation of its final passive water tank, marking the end of modular construction for the second phase of the project.
Canada and Alberta agree on joint nuclear strategy by 2027
Ottawa and Edmonton commit to a nuclear production roadmap by 2050, through a memorandum of understanding also covering carbon capture and an Indigenous-led pipeline project.
Niger challenges Orano by launching its uranium production on the international market
Niamey asserts control over its uranium resources by authorising open market sales of Somaïr’s production, formerly operated by France’s Orano, amid ongoing legal disputes.
Equinix secures 500 MWe nuclear supply from Stellaria for AI data centres
Equinix has signed a strategic agreement with French start-up Stellaria to reserve 500 MWe of advanced nuclear capacity to power its future European AI data centres starting in 2035.
Kyrgyzstan bets on a Russian small modular reactor to solve its energy crisis
Bishkek plans to host a RITM-200N small modular reactor supplied by Rosatom to address electricity shortages and deepen energy ties with Moscow, despite the risks posed by Western sanctions.
TEPCO could restart Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant as early as January
The Niigata prefectural assembly will vote on the restart of Unit 6, potentially marking TEPCO’s first reactor relaunch since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Norway launches cross-border consultation on nuclear power plant project
The Norwegian government has initiated a consultation with neighbouring countries on its modular nuclear power plant project in Aure and Heim, in accordance with the Espoo Convention.
TÜNAŞ and KEPCO sign deal to accelerate nuclear development in Türkiye
Türkiye and South Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore nuclear power plant projects, marking a strategic step in the long-term development of Türkiye's energy infrastructure.
Asian Development Bank opens nuclear energy financing to developing countries
Asian Development Bank has amended its energy policy to enable funding for civil nuclear projects in developing member countries across the Asia-Pacific region.
First Hydrogen launches project on molten-salt fuels for small modular reactors
First Hydrogen begins research with the University of Alberta to identify molten-salt mixtures simulating nuclear fuels for SMR prototypes.
Framatome delivers first nuclear fuel assemblies for Barakah
Framatome has completed the manufacturing of the first nuclear fuel assemblies for the Barakah power plant, marking a key milestone in the supply agreement signed with Emirates Nuclear Energy Company in July.
UK launches radical overhaul of nuclear regulation system
A government-commissioned report proposes 47 measures to simplify nuclear regulation, reduce decommissioning costs and accelerate delivery of civilian and military projects.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.