Connection

popular articles

BP refocuses on oil by selling its onshore wind business in the US
Shell and Petronas Accelerate Offshore Projects in Suriname
The World Bank anticipates a historic drop in oil prices in 2025
Failure of the EDP-SSE Merger: A Strategic Shift in the Energy Sector
First Hydrokinetic Network Scale Converter Deployed in the U.S.

Shimane 2: Restart after 13 Years of Shutdown

The Shimane 2 nuclear power plant in Japan resumed operations on December 7 after 13 years of inactivity. This second boiling water reactor marks a significant milestone in the country's energy revitalization.

Please share:

The Shimane 2 nuclear power plant, operated by Chugoku Electric Power Company, resumed operations on December 7, according to an official announcement. Located in Shimane Prefecture, the facility had been offline since January 2012. With a capacity of 789 megawatts electric (MWe), this boiling water reactor (BWR) becomes the fourteenth Japanese reactor to be brought back online since the Fukushima incidents in 2011.

In June 2021, Shimane 2 reached a critical milestone by securing approval from the Japanese nuclear regulatory authority after meeting stringent safety requirements. It is also the fifth BWR to receive such authorization. The process involved consultations with local communities and the formal consent of the municipalities concerned, including Matsue, Izumo, Yasugi, and Unnan. In June 2022, the governor of Shimane gave final approval for the restart.

A Clear Schedule for a Gradual Restart

Following the final authorization, Chugoku Electric Power announced a rigorous schedule for the restart of Shimane 2. Loading the 560 fuel assemblies into the reactor core began on October 28 and was completed by November 3. The restart was achieved on December 7 at 3:00 PM, with the reactor reaching a critical state at 4:50 PM.

Chugoku Electric Power President and CEO Kengo Nakagawa emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating that safety remains the top priority. “We will continue thorough inspections and equipment checks as we move toward gradually resuming commercial operations, planned for January 2025,” he said.

A Strong Signal for Japan’s Nuclear Sector

The restart of Shimane 2 comes as boiling water reactors have restarted at a slower pace compared to pressurized water reactors. According to Kingo Hayashi, chairman of the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan, this restart represents a turning point for the nuclear sector. “It not only contributes to energy security and a stable electricity supply but also plays a crucial role in carbon neutrality efforts,” he stated.

Local and national authorities continue to closely monitor Shimane 2’s operations to ensure transparency and reassure local communities. Chugoku Electric Power has also expressed its commitment to maintaining an ongoing dialogue with stakeholders.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Latest news

Al Gore downplays Trump’s economic impact on global energy transition
Washington warns Caracas over any attack on Guyana and vows retaliation
Radioactive leak in Flamanville: EDF delays reactor restart by one month
France: Marc Ferracci ready to submit energy roadmap to parliamentary vote
France delays energy voucher payment to November amid budget law holdup

Recently published in

Radioactive leak in Flamanville: EDF delays reactor restart by one month

A radioactive steam leak detected in the reactor building of Flamanville unit 1 forces EDF to postpone its restart by one month, according to the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority.
Framatome to upgrade control systems at Switzerland’s Leibstadt nuclear power plant
French firm Framatome has been selected to modernise control systems at Switzerland’s Leibstadt nuclear plant, as part of a strategic investment aiming to extend its operation through 2045.
en_1140290945540-22
Framatome to upgrade control systems at Switzerland’s Leibstadt nuclear power plant
French firm Framatome has been selected to modernise control systems at Switzerland’s Leibstadt nuclear plant, as part of a strategic investment aiming to extend its operation through 2045.
en_1140290945540-22
Washington allocates $900M to accelerate compact nuclear reactors
The U.S. Department of Energy reopens a $900M envelope to finance the construction of third-generation small modular reactors, aiming to rapidly expand national power capacity.
en_1140290951540-19
Washington allocates $900M to accelerate compact nuclear reactors
The U.S. Department of Energy reopens a $900M envelope to finance the construction of third-generation small modular reactors, aiming to rapidly expand national power capacity.
en_1140290951540-19
HYLENR and TakeMe2Space partner to test LENR module in space
HYLENR Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding with TakeMe2Space to test a low-energy nuclear reaction power solution aboard satellites designed for orbital computing.
en_1140290957540-19
HYLENR and TakeMe2Space partner to test LENR module in space
HYLENR Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding with TakeMe2Space to test a low-energy nuclear reaction power solution aboard satellites designed for orbital computing.
en_1140290957540-19

Japan develops first uranium-based rechargeable battery to repurpose depleted uranium

Japanese researchers have assembled a rechargeable battery harnessing the chemical properties of uranium, aiming to convert stored depleted uranium into a strategic energy storage resource.
EDF and industrials urged to speed up electricity tariff negotiations
The French government is pressing EDF and industrial players to reach a pricing agreement by summer, amid ongoing tensions over nuclear supply contracts.
en_1140290949540-18
EDF and industrials urged to speed up electricity tariff negotiations
The French government is pressing EDF and industrial players to reach a pricing agreement by summer, amid ongoing tensions over nuclear supply contracts.
en_1140290949540-18
Oklo and Deep Atomic initiate regulatory steps in the US for small modular reactors
Two small modular reactor developers begin preliminary engagement with the US nuclear authority, ahead of filing applications for distinct projects targeting industrial use cases.
en_1140290944540-18
Oklo and Deep Atomic initiate regulatory steps in the US for small modular reactors
Two small modular reactor developers begin preliminary engagement with the US nuclear authority, ahead of filing applications for distinct projects targeting industrial use cases.
en_1140290944540-18
Fortum selects three suppliers for potential Nordic nuclear project
Fortum continues preparations for new nuclear capacity in Finland and Sweden, selecting three suppliers after a two-year feasibility study.
en_1140290943540-20
Fortum selects three suppliers for potential Nordic nuclear project
Fortum continues preparations for new nuclear capacity in Finland and Sweden, selecting three suppliers after a two-year feasibility study.
en_1140290943540-20

NRG-Pallas Selected to Test Fuel for Kairos Power’s Modular Reactor

NRG-Pallas will conduct irradiation tests necessary for qualifying materials and fuel of Kairos Power's modular reactor, a critical prerequisite for regulatory approval in the United States.
Fukushima: Tepco deploys robots to remove 41 tonnes of radioactive sand
Tokyo Electric Power Company will begin next week the removal of thousands of contaminated sandbags, stored since 2011 in the Fukushima Daiichi basements, using robots designed for high-radiation environments.
en_1140290954540-16
Fukushima: Tepco deploys robots to remove 41 tonnes of radioactive sand
Tokyo Electric Power Company will begin next week the removal of thousands of contaminated sandbags, stored since 2011 in the Fukushima Daiichi basements, using robots designed for high-radiation environments.
en_1140290954540-16
Rosatom completes welding of El Dabaa reactor, marking key industrial milestone for Egypt
Welding of the main reactor for Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear power plant has been completed in Russia, marking a major milestone in the development of the country's first civilian nuclear programme.
en_1140290944540-17
Rosatom completes welding of El Dabaa reactor, marking key industrial milestone for Egypt
Welding of the main reactor for Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear power plant has been completed in Russia, marking a major milestone in the development of the country's first civilian nuclear programme.
en_1140290944540-17
Kazakhstan creates a nuclear energy agency and appoints its president
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has established a new agency to oversee nuclear energy, appointing Almassadam Satkaliyev as its head. This structure aims to enhance the country’s energy security and support its long-term nuclear ambitions.
en_1140290956540-14
Kazakhstan creates a nuclear energy agency and appoints its president
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has established a new agency to oversee nuclear energy, appointing Almassadam Satkaliyev as its head. This structure aims to enhance the country’s energy security and support its long-term nuclear ambitions.
en_1140290956540-14

The US DOE grants $57 million loan to restart Palisades nuclear plant

The US Department of Energy allocated a $57 million loan to Holtec International to support the relaunch of the Palisades nuclear plant, which has been closed since 2022, to ensure compliance with NRC safety standards.
Orano and Navoiyuran sign agreement to develop South Djengeldi uranium deposit in Uzbekistan
Orano and Navoiyuran have signed a strategic agreement for the industrial development of the South Djengeldi uranium deposit in Uzbekistan, with the entry of Japanese company ITOCHU Corporation as a minority partner.
en_1140290943540-15
Orano and Navoiyuran sign agreement to develop South Djengeldi uranium deposit in Uzbekistan
Orano and Navoiyuran have signed a strategic agreement for the industrial development of the South Djengeldi uranium deposit in Uzbekistan, with the entry of Japanese company ITOCHU Corporation as a minority partner.
en_1140290943540-15
Japan begins dismantling its first nuclear reactor
Chubu Electric starts dismantling reactors at Hamaoka plant, marking a turning point in the management of its nuclear sector as Japan plans to gradually reintroduce nuclear energy into its energy mix.
en_1140290947540-13
Japan begins dismantling its first nuclear reactor
Chubu Electric starts dismantling reactors at Hamaoka plant, marking a turning point in the management of its nuclear sector as Japan plans to gradually reintroduce nuclear energy into its energy mix.
en_1140290947540-13
The French Government announces the delay of the commissioning of the EPR2 reactors to 2038
President Emmanuel Macron has announced an additional delay for the commissioning of the first EPR2 reactors, now set for 2038 instead of 2035. This decision was made during a meeting dedicated to the nuclear program.
en_1140290954540-12
The French Government announces the delay of the commissioning of the EPR2 reactors to 2038
President Emmanuel Macron has announced an additional delay for the commissioning of the first EPR2 reactors, now set for 2038 instead of 2035. This decision was made during a meeting dedicated to the nuclear program.
en_1140290954540-12

Engie Finalizes Extension of Doel-Tihange Reactors with Belgian State

Engie has finalized a ten-year extension agreement with the Belgian state for the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors, including a financial responsibility transfer related to spent fuel, following recent approval by the European Commission.
Compliance of EPR2 Penly concrete: Eiffage and EDF refute allegations
Tests on the concrete of the EPR2 Penly seawall have raised doubts about its compliance with safety standards, according to Mediapart and Reporterre. EDF and Eiffage contest these claims, asserting that the material meets technical requirements.
en_1140290947540-11
Compliance of EPR2 Penly concrete: Eiffage and EDF refute allegations
Tests on the concrete of the EPR2 Penly seawall have raised doubts about its compliance with safety standards, according to Mediapart and Reporterre. EDF and Eiffage contest these claims, asserting that the material meets technical requirements.
en_1140290947540-11
Emmanuel Macron to Chair Nuclear Policy Council Focused on SMRs and Uranium Supply
On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron will chair a Nuclear Policy Council focused on small modular reactors (SMRs) and uranium supply, within a global context of renewed interest in nuclear energy.
en_1140290944540-12
Emmanuel Macron to Chair Nuclear Policy Council Focused on SMRs and Uranium Supply
On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron will chair a Nuclear Policy Council focused on small modular reactors (SMRs) and uranium supply, within a global context of renewed interest in nuclear energy.
en_1140290944540-12
Major companies pledge to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050
A group of technology and energy companies, along with 31 countries, has signed a pledge to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050, supporting a strategic expansion of this energy source.
en_1140290948540-10
Major companies pledge to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050
A group of technology and energy companies, along with 31 countries, has signed a pledge to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050, supporting a strategic expansion of this energy source.
en_1140290948540-10

HD Hyundai and TerraPower sign an agreement to structure the industrialisation of Natrium reactors

HD Hyundai and TerraPower have entered into a strategic partnership to optimise the manufacturing of Natrium reactor components. This collaboration aims to structure an industrial supply chain to accelerate their global deployment.
KHNP and Samsung C&T Form Strategic Alliance for International Nuclear Projects
KHNP and Samsung C&T have signed an agreement to collaborate on international nuclear projects, aiming to strengthen their global competitiveness, particularly in the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific market.
en_1140290948540-8
KHNP and Samsung C&T Form Strategic Alliance for International Nuclear Projects
KHNP and Samsung C&T have signed an agreement to collaborate on international nuclear projects, aiming to strengthen their global competitiveness, particularly in the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific market.
en_1140290948540-8
Bangladesh: IAEA inspects Rooppur nuclear power plant ahead of commissioning
The International Atomic Energy Agency has begun an assessment visit to the Rooppur nuclear power plant, Bangladesh’s first facility, 90% financed by Russia. The inspection focuses on site safety ahead of the scheduled fuel loading in 2025.
en_1140290951540-7
Bangladesh: IAEA inspects Rooppur nuclear power plant ahead of commissioning
The International Atomic Energy Agency has begun an assessment visit to the Rooppur nuclear power plant, Bangladesh’s first facility, 90% financed by Russia. The inspection focuses on site safety ahead of the scheduled fuel loading in 2025.
en_1140290951540-7
Orano secures €400M loan from EIB for uranium enrichment plant expansion
Orano has secured a €400 million loan from the European Investment Bank to finance the expansion of its Georges Besse II uranium enrichment plant at Tricastin, aiming to increase its capacity by 30% by 2028.
en_1140290953540-7
Orano secures €400M loan from EIB for uranium enrichment plant expansion
Orano has secured a €400 million loan from the European Investment Bank to finance the expansion of its Georges Besse II uranium enrichment plant at Tricastin, aiming to increase its capacity by 30% by 2028.
en_1140290953540-7

Advertising

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

VERVANT

Welcome

Your subscription

Included in this subscription:

COMMUNICATE ON ENERGYNEWS