Key Point of President's Regular Press Conference
Key Point of President's Regular Press Conference
Regular Press Conference for March 2011
March 23, 2011
Chubu Electric Power Co.,Inc.
- First of all, I would like to say that we pray for all those who lost their lives in the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake, and express our heartfelt sympathy for those who have suffered from this terrible disaster.
- I also offer our sincere sympathy to all those who have suffered from the earthquake in northern Nagano Prefecture, the earthquake in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, and the other earthquakes that have been occurring in succession.
- The damage caused by the earthquakes is enormous, and the people who have been affected are enduring great suffering. I offer our earnest prayers that these painful circumstances will be overcome.
- Today, I will be discussing three items:
- Post-earthquake responses at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station
- The status of Chubu Electric support in connection with the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake
- Overview of the Demand and Supply Plan for fiscal year 2011
Post-Earthquake Status of the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station
- First of all, I would like to talk about post-earthquake measures taken at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station. Please look at Reference 1, "Matters Addressed at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station in Light of the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake."
- The Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake that occurred on the afternoon of March 11 with its epicenter off the Sanriku Coast was measured at a seismic intensity of 3 in Omaezaki City, where the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station is located.
- At the time of the earthquake, Unit No. 3 was shut down for a periodic inspection. Units No. 4 and No. 5, which were in operation, were unaffected by the earthquake and are continuing in stable operation.
- As you are all aware, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of the Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. was struck by the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake.
- We consider this to be an incident of the utmost gravity, and Chubu Electric Power will be continuing to provide assistance to the maximum possible extent.
- Chubu Electric Power is presently at the stage of collecting information on the circumstances of this incident. Taking into consideration announcements by the national government and the Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc., we have strengthened disaster preparedness measures with regard to tsunami at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station.
- I will start by describing the tsunami countermeasures that we have had in place at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station to date.
- Study of the literature on the Hoei earthquake tsunami of 1707, which is thought to have consisted of a triple sequence of Tokai, Tonankai, and Nankai earthquake tsunamis, as well as literature on other such tsunamis that have had an impact in the vicinity of the power station site, provides the basis for examination at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station. In addition, study is underway using numerical simulation of tsunamis and taking uncertainty into account to determine the maximum water level of tsunamis there. Study results indicate that the height of tsunamis in the site vicinity, even when high tides are taken into account, will reach a maximum of about eight meters above the mean sea level in Tokyo Bay.
- The area around the power station, by contrast, is 10 meters or more above mean sea level in Tokyo Bay. Moreover, the doors to the reactor building and other structures housing facilities that are critical to safety have been made waterproof. We consider that these and other measures we have taken make the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station safe from tsunamis.
- Next, I will discuss the strengthening of tsunami countermeasures. Please look at the second sheet of Reference 1.
- First of all, we will emplace concrete seawalls as a measure to prevent flooding within the power station compound. These will be on portions of the back and side surfaces of sand dunes on the ocean side of the power station, and they will be 12 meters or more above Tokyo Bay mean sea level.
- We have also taken the following countermeasures on the assumption that tsunamis will flood the compound:
- Emplaced waterproof barrier at the seawater pumping area
- Secured spares for seawater pump motors
- Confirmed the soundness of waterproof doors and reinforced their reliability
We further took the following measures for emergency readiness:
- Secured generator vehicles and portable electric generators; secured backup storage batteries
- Emplaced emergency power supplies
- Secured spares for emergency core cooling systems and related equipment
- Set up a storehouse for emergency equipment and materials
- Implemented and reinforced emergency preparedness training
We will be instituting these measures gradually.
- Unit No. 3 is presently undergoing periodic inspection. In light of the current incident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, we are verifying the soundness of the waterproof doors. We will also institute training and other measures for rapid restoration of power in the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station in the event that both outside power sources and emergency power sources become unavailable at the same time. We anticipate that it will take about one week to complete these measures.
- Chubu Electric Power intends to proceed diligently with these preparations while at the same time keeping local communities fully informed about the content of our measures. To that end, and to do everything possible to continue providing a stable supply of electric power, we would like to proceed to resume operation of Unit No. 3.
- We are aware that the damage suffered by a nuclear power station due to the recent earthquake has caused great concern to all the residents of communities in the area of Chubu Electric Power's Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station, as well as to the public at large.
- In future, we will continue the efforts to collect information and we will respond appropriately if additional countermeasures become necessary. We intend to address the situation with all our resources so that we can earn the understanding of local residents.
Status of Chubu Electric Power Assistance Efforts in Connection with the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake
- Next, I will talk about the status of our assistance efforts with regard to the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake.
- I would like to talk first about electric power interchange with the 50-Hz region where power supply and demand have been hard-pressed. Please look at Reference 2, "Consideration of Upgrade to Conversion Capability at the Higashi Shimizu Frequency Converter (FC) as an Emergency Measure."
- Chubu Electric Power has been continuously engaging in electric power interchange and other such measures with the 50-Hz region through a frequency converter since the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake occurred on March 11.
- Chubu Electric Power has been examining the matter from various perspectives in an effort to increase as much as possible the amount of electricity provided to the 50-Hz region through electric power interchange. We have now determined a direction to take that will enable us to increase conversion capacity by about 30 MW from the present 100 MW by implementing emergency measures at the Higashi Shimizu FC.
- Since these measures will take about one month to implement, we plan to institute the upgrade in conversion capacity in May. We will also proceed to examine ways of advancing the timing of full-scale operation, which is scheduled for December 2014, to as early a date as possible.
- We are also examining a variety of other ways to support electric power interchange, and gradually implementing them.
- For example, we are providing support by switching over power received from the Sakuma Hydropower Plant and other such facilities of the Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-Power), to 50 Hz.
- Chubu Electric Power has also carried out construction work on our Yasuoka Hydroelectric Power Plant in Nagano Prefecture to make it capable of supporting 50-Hz operation. As a result, we have been implementing an interchange of about 20 MW since yesterday, March 22.
- Chubu Electric Power intends to continue providing the maximum possible support for electric power interchange.
- There is also the matter of support other than electric power interchange provided by Chubu Electric Power. Please look at Reference 3, "Status of Support Provided by Chubu Electric Power in Connection with the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake."
- As shown here, we have already engaged in an interchange regarding fuel with the Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc., in the form of an LNG tanker loaded with 60,000 t of LNG. We have also dispatched up to 500 of our personnel, at a maximum, to provide assistance in restoring power distribution lines and monitoring radioactivity.
- We are also providing assistance to those people affected by the disaster, to include:
- Provision of a maximum of 740 units of company housing and other such facilities
- Provision of emergency food supplies, drinking water, and other such supplies
- Donation of relief funds
We are proceeding with this assistance in coordination with local governments and the Red Cross.
- Chubu Electric Power intends to continue all-out efforts to provide support to the region affected by this disaster by electric power interchange and by assistance to people affected by the disaster.
Summary of FY2011 "Electric Power Supply Plan"
- I will speak next about the formulation of the FY2011 "Electric Power Supply Plan." Please look at Reference 4, "Formulation of the FY2011 Electric Power Supply Plan."
- The three main points of our Electric Power Supply Plan are:
- Ensuring a stable supply of electric power
- Taking proactive initiatives to protect the global environment
- Promoting the rational development of facilities and further increased efficiency
Today, Chubu Electric filed its Electric Power Supply Plan, centering on these three points, with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
- Although various effects from the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake can be anticipated, Chubu Electric Power will make every effort to secure an appropriate supply capability so as to continue delivering electric power to our customers in a stable manner. At the same time, we also intend to continue providing support for recovery of the disaster area.
(Projected demand)
- If you could please look at Reference 1.
- As shown in Table 1 at the top left, we estimate that the amount of electric energy sold in FY2020, the final year of the current plan, will be 140.5 TWh, with average annual growth of 1.2% from FY2009 to FY2020, after correction for temperatures.
- Peak load is expected to reach 27.37 GW in FY2020, with average annual growth of 0.8% from FY2009 to FY2020, after correction for temperatures.
(Power Sources)
- Regarding the Power Generation Facilities Plan, please refer to Table 2.
- It is crucial that electric power development plan a balanced mixture of different kinds of power source so that supply stability, environmental consideration, and economic efficiency can be achieved simultaneously.
- The main changes from the plan for the previous fiscal year include the development of the Nishi-Nagoya Thermal Power Station Group No. 7 and of Mega Solar Shimizu, which is the largest photovoltaic power generation facility in the Chubu Electric Power service area, as well as the additional development of new hydropower generation.
- Hydropower generation is a form of renewable energy that can be expected to provide stable generated power. Therefore, we have made new plans for development of power generation from river maintenance flow at two new locations and for increasing the output of existing hydropower generation by refurbishment of facilities at one location.
(Supply and Demand)
- The electric power supply and demand situation is as shown in Table 3 at the top right of the reference material. We will both secure supply capability and go on providing electric power in a stable manner until fiscal year 2020, which is the final fiscal year of the current plan.
(Publication of "Management Aims" Postponed)
- We have been publishing "Management Aims" every year in March. This time we are postponing publication, however, because of the need to determine various effects from the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake.
- That concludes my remarks for today.