Press Release
Extension of the Shutdown of Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station Reactor No. 5
September 29, 2010
Chubu Electric Power Co.,Inc.
This is to announce that Chubu Electric Power has decided to extend the scheduled shutdown, beginning in late September this year, of Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station Reactor No. 5 (boiling water reactor, rated electric output 1,267 MW), which is presently under periodic inspection.
During the Suruga Bay earthquake of August 11, 2009, greater seismic activity was observed at Reactor No. 5 than at the other reactors. In light of this, Chubu Electric Power provided a report to the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency on facility inspection and evaluation results, as well as facility soundness evaluation results by seismic response analysis of equipment important to anti-seismic design, as based on observation records. The agency determined that Reactor No. 5 had maintained its soundness.
In addition, Chubu Electric Power has reported the results of its confirmation of the seismic safety of Reactor No. 5 in the event of an anticipated Tokai earthquake as based on the Suruga Bay earthquake experience to government Working Groups*. The opinion was expressed by the Working Groups that there should be a better explanation of the seismic motion calculated by Chubu Electric Power to confirm the impact. In light of these views, Chubu Electric Power will provide an additional report to the Working Groups and explain the contents of that report to the local community. Our plan is to resume operation of Reactor No. 5 after that. We will announce the time of resumed operation when it has been clarified.
We will continue to place priority on ensuring safety at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station as we aim to win the trust and confidence of the local communities.
* The government Working Groups refers to the Joint Working Group for Earthquake, Tsunami, Geology, and Foundation and the Structure Working Group under the Seismic and Structural Design Subcommittee, Nuclear and Industrial Safety Subcommittee, Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy.