Press Release
Start of Installation for Filter Vent Equipment at Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station Unit 4
June 14, 2013
Chubu Electric Power Co.,Inc.
Today, Chubu Electric Power would like to announce the start of excavation work for a room to accommodate the filter vent equipment,* which is part of the severe accident countermeasures for Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station Unit 4.
In the light of the Technical Knowledge of the Accident at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc., published in March 2012 by the then Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, we decided to implement severe accident countermeasures (reported December 20, 2012).
We then proceeded with the consideration of detailed designs and work plans, etc. before starting the work today.
We aim to ensure completion of work on the countermeasures by the end of FY2014.
Also, as soon as preparations are completed, we shall be starting work on further severe accident countermeasures for Unit 4 and on severe accident countermeasures for Units 3 and 5.
Chubu Electric Power will engage all its resources in the sure and steady effort to further enhance the safety of Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station. We are also committed to providing detailed explanations of the substance of those efforts in order to contribute to the peace of mind of local residents and society at large.
* The filter vent equipment is for venting of gases from a containment vessel through filters in the event of a buildup of pressure within the containment vessel after damage to the reactor core. This is to depressurize the vessel and prevent it from being damaged, while also reducing the amount of radioactive particulates (cesium, etc.) released to the atmosphere and preventing long-term soil contamination.