Japan reactor shutdown decision delayed
Source: Agencies |
May 8, 2011, Sunday
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A Japanese power company postponed its decision yesterday on a government request that it halt three reactors at a nuclear plant until safety measures can be improved to guard against future earthquakes and tsunamis.
Shutting down the reactors would likely worsen power shortages expected this summer.
On Friday, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said he had asked Chubu Electric Power Co to suspend operation of the reactors at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station in Shizuoka prefecture until a seawall is built and backup systems are improved. Though not legally binding, the request is a virtual order.
The government is reviewing the safety of the country's atomic reactors since a March 11 earthquake and tsunami crippled the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant.
The Hamaoka plant, which is about 200 kilometers west of Tokyo in an area where a major quake is expected within decades, has been a major concern for years.
Chubu Electric executives failed to reach a decision after discussing the request yesterday and decided to meet again after the weekend, company official Mikio Inomata said.
At issue is how to make up for the power shortages that would result from the shutdown of the three reactors. Inomata said they account for more than 10 percent of the company's power supply.
Chubu Electric has estimated maximum output of about 30 million kilowatts this summer with the three Hamaoka reactors running, with estimated demand of about 26 million kilowatts.
"It would be tight," Inomata said, adding that officials are discussing the possibility of boosting output from gas, oil and coal-fueled power plants and purchasing power from other utility companies.
Shutting down the reactors would likely worsen power shortages expected this summer.
On Friday, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said he had asked Chubu Electric Power Co to suspend operation of the reactors at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station in Shizuoka prefecture until a seawall is built and backup systems are improved. Though not legally binding, the request is a virtual order.
The government is reviewing the safety of the country's atomic reactors since a March 11 earthquake and tsunami crippled the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant.
The Hamaoka plant, which is about 200 kilometers west of Tokyo in an area where a major quake is expected within decades, has been a major concern for years.
Chubu Electric executives failed to reach a decision after discussing the request yesterday and decided to meet again after the weekend, company official Mikio Inomata said.
At issue is how to make up for the power shortages that would result from the shutdown of the three reactors. Inomata said they account for more than 10 percent of the company's power supply.
Chubu Electric has estimated maximum output of about 30 million kilowatts this summer with the three Hamaoka reactors running, with estimated demand of about 26 million kilowatts.
"It would be tight," Inomata said, adding that officials are discussing the possibility of boosting output from gas, oil and coal-fueled power plants and purchasing power from other utility companies.
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