Kansai Electric Power has asked Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) for permission to extend the lifespan of its Takahama-3 and -4 nuclear power plant by 20 years, potentially keeping them online until 2045.
Under existing regulations, Japan’s commercial nuclear reactors have a nominal operating period of 40 years. An extension of up to 20 years can be granted, but requires a special inspection to verify the integrity of reactor pressure vessels and containment vessels after 35 years of operation.
Kansai said it had carried out special inspections and evaluations of the two units and not found any issues likely to cause problems if the operating period was to be extended to 60 years.