Power Adjustments Begin at Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station Reactor No. 5

Chubu Electric Power Co. has presented a report to a government working group*1 concerning the study the company has been conducting regarding the effects of the August 11, 2009 Suruga Bay earthquake, on the seismic safety of Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station Reactor No. 5, and the report has been under review. The review was completed on December 3, 2010, and it has been decided that the Suruga Bay earthquake did not compromise the seismic safety of Reactor No. 5.

Having explained the results of this review to all concerned parties in our region, the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station Safety Measures Examination Committee,*2 made up of representatives of four local communities including Omaezaki City, reached the decision on January 15, 2011 that Reactor No. 5 was able to recommence operation. The Shizuoka prefectural administration today reached the same decision.

In addition to conducting the 4^th periodic inspection of Reactor No. 5 from March 15, 2010, we have also replaced the low-pressure turbines which were damaged in June 2006 with upgraded units, and have completed the inspections scheduled to be conducted while the reactor was shut down.

At present, based on the decisions mentioned above, we are proceeding with preparations to restart Reactor No. 5, and intend to restart the reactor and commence power adjustments when these preparations are completed, perhaps as early as tomorrow.

During the power adjustments, output will be increased in stages. In addition to inspecting equipment and verifying the operating status at each stage, we will also be conducting a number of prescribed checks. After rated thermal output has been reached, we will verify that each piece of equipment in the reactor is able to operate stably and continuously, and when all inspections have been completed, the reactor will undergo its final inspection, the General Load Performance Inspection administered by the government.

During the power adjustments, if any equipment abnormalities are detected, we will take the necessary measures, and depending on these measures, it may be necessary to once again shut down the reactor.

In moving towards restarting Reactor No. 5, we have received numerous requests from residents of our region. We have considered these requests sincerely and responded to them in good faith, and, with safety as our top priority, we are working to increase transparency, striving to operate our facilities in a way that ensures security and peace of mind for local residents.

*1 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.

*2 The Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station Safety Measures Examination Committee was established in 1971 in order to contribute to the vitality and welfare of the region by monitoring the safety of local residents following the establishment of the power station and to conduct studies concerning regional development. The committee is made up of the mayors of Omaezaki City, Makinohara City, Kakegawa City, and Kikugawa City, the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the city assemblies, and representatives of the Fisheries Cooperatives, the Agricultural Cooperatives, local Societies of Commerce and Industry, and local community associations, in addition to local residents of both sexes and varying ages.