Inspection by the IAEA at Fukushima: Progress of the Decommissioning and Strategic Issues

The Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, visited Fukushima to oversee the soil decontamination efforts and the decommissioning of the nuclear plant. This visit comes as Japan intensifies its efforts to manage radioactive waste and increase the transparency of its nuclear program.

Share:

The decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant remains a significant challenge more than a decade after the 2011 nuclear accident. In this context, Rafael Grossi embarked on a new visit to Japan to assess the progress of decontamination operations and the interim storage of waste. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ensures that these efforts adhere to international safety standards.

Storage of Waste and Soil Recycling

During this visit, the IAEA will inspect the interim storage facilities (ISF) where nearly 13 million cubic meters of contaminated soil are stored. Tokyo plans to recycle 75% of low-level radioactive soils for infrastructure projects, provided they meet safety standards. The remaining 25% must be disposed of by 2045, a matter that still raises debates within the government and local communities.

Increasing International Support

Rafael Grossi held discussions with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, who announced a funding of 14 million euros for nuclear initiatives in Ukraine and other countries. This cooperation aims to enhance nuclear safety capabilities and radiation-related cancer diagnostics.

Economic Impact and Logistical Challenges

The decontamination of Fukushima has already mobilized tens of billions of euros. Over 9,000 square kilometers have been treated, a monumental project that contrasts with the methods adopted after the Chernobyl disaster. However, this approach generates a significant amount of waste and raises questions about the fertility of the reclaimed land.

Monitoring the Release of Treated Water

As part of the transparency process, IAEA experts, as well as representatives from China and South Korea, will analyze seawater and fish samples. The goal is to assess the impact of the release of treated water into the Pacific Ocean, an operation that began in August 2023. The IAEA and the Japanese government assert that this discharge meets safety standards, but the issue remains sensitive for some neighboring countries.

Progress of the Decommissioning

TEPCO, the plant’s operator, has started dismantling the treated water tanks to free up space for the storage of radioactive debris. Full decommissioning of the site will span several decades. The 2011 disaster, which damaged three of the six operating reactors, makes the management of spent fuel and contaminated structures one of the primary technical and financial challenges.

Bahrain has concluded a civil nuclear agreement with the United States and formalised a commitment of $17bn in public investments in the US market, further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Kairos Power has installed the vessel for its third test prototype in Oak Ridge, aiming to validate manufacturing methods for its future Hermes reactor supported by the US Department of Energy.
London and Prague formalise a strategic partnership to develop the nuclear sector, focusing on small modular reactors and industrial cooperation on supply chains.
Experts have broadly approved France’s Cigéo deep nuclear waste repository project, highlighting technical uncertainties that demand stronger guarantees for long-term safety.
Uzbekistan advances its nuclear project by signing a protocol with Hungary for the supply and local assembly of dry cooling systems, expanding its industrial partnerships in the region.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is asking the European Commission to review its $49bn investment to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant, a step required under the Euratom Treaty before any construction permit can be issued.
The International Atomic Energy Agency mission completed on July 11 warns that the National Nuclear Safety Administration must hire staff to oversee a fleet of 59 reactors in operation and 32 more under construction.
Energoatom signed strategic agreements with Westinghouse and Holtec at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, aiming to establish nuclear fuel production and small modular reactor capabilities in the country.
Tehran agrees to reopen its nuclear facilities to the IAEA, aiming to resume negotiations with Washington, while Moscow pushes for a “zero enrichment” agreement without getting involved in supervision.
TerraPower has selected three new American suppliers for its advanced Natrium nuclear reactor, confirming progress on the project located in Kemmerer, Wyoming, intended to replace a retiring coal-fired power plant.
Energy Exploration Technologies acquires Daytona Lithium, an Australian subsidiary of Pantera Lithium, for AUD40mn ($27mn), bringing its strategic lithium basin footprint in Smackover, USA to nearly 50,000 acres.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has identified no major barriers to licensing the ARC-100 reactor, announces ARC Clean Technology.
SE Ignalina, the Lithuanian nuclear operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with French firm Newcleo to explore the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) using lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology in Lithuania.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi oversaw the signing of new agreements for the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, thus strengthening the strategic cooperation between Egypt and Russia.
Vistra Corp receives green light to extend Perry nuclear plant operations in Ohio by 20 years, securing regional electricity supply until 2046 and ensuring operational continuity for all its nuclear reactors in the United States.
EDF will hold a 12.5% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear project in the UK, a €1.3 billion investment announced during Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to London, confirming the strategic nuclear energy alignment between the two countries.
The French Cigéo project, designed to bury the most hazardous radioactive waste deep underground, obtains a crucial technical validation before its final authorization, expected by the end of 2027.
EDF confirms the continuation of its industrial project in Fessenheim for recycling very low-level radioactive metals, a first in France requiring specific regulatory authorizations, following a public debate concluded last February.
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. formalizes its collaboration with UrAmerica Ltd. to strengthen Argentina’s uranium supply, aiming to secure future nuclear fuel supply chains for the U.S. market.
American companies SHINE Technologies and Standard Nuclear partner to recycle uranium and plutonium, supplying advanced fuel to the nuclear reactor sector and enhancing the national energy security of the United States.