Japan Has Reawakened The World’s Biggest Nuclear Plant With New Fuel

The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is about to take on a significant project: bringing fuel to the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station, often considered the biggest in the world.  

This enormous power plant was deactivated after the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011. With approval from the Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), TEPCO is preparing to start reactor No. 7 of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant’s refueling procedure. The complicated process of nuclear reactivation is shown by the fact that the facility still needs to pass inspections and receive clearance from the regional governor, among other safety and regulatory requirements. 

TEPCO is determined to revive the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, which has a formidable capacity of 8.2 GW despite past setbacks, including security breaches during earlier restoration attempts in 2021. Nestled in the heart of Niigata Prefecture, the massive facility is home to seven reactors, the most significant of which is the world’s first advanced boiling water reactor (ABWR) plant. 

Restarting the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant aligns with Japan’s strategic move toward nuclear energy, which is motivated by needs including lowering carbon emissions and ensuring energy security. Given Japan’s high reliance on energy imports, especially LNG, atomic power is a feasible means of enhancing local energy output while decreasing dependency on outside sources. 

TEPCO will begin its fuel loading procedure on April 15 and will need around six weeks to put 872 fuel assemblies into reactor No. 7. Thorough inspections guarantee the correct and safe installation of fuel rods and confirm the core cooling system’s operation.  

TEPCO has increased the number of people working night shifts to support these operations and guarantee thorough supervision and adherence to safety procedures. However, previous failures in counterterrorism efforts highlight the continued difficulties facing the revival of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility.