Kansai Electric Power will apply for regulatory approval to extend the operating life of its Takahama-3 and -4 nuclear power units by a further 20 years, potentially operating both plants for the maximum 60 years.
The company also said it is planning to replace the steam generators at the two 830-MW pressurised water reactor units in Fukui prefecture, western Japan.
Under safety rules which came into force after the Fukushima-Daiichi accident, Japanese reactors have an operating period of 40 years. One extension to this – limited to a maximum of 20 years – may be granted, but requires a special inspection to verify the integrity of reactor pressure vessels and containment vessels after 35 years of operation.
Takahama-3 and Takahama-4 both began commercial operation in 1985.
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