Electronic Glitch Halts Japan's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Reactor Day After Restart, No Radiation Risk

Japan - Ekhbary News Agency

Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO), the operator of the world's largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, has decided to halt the sixth reactor unit, just one day after its partial restart on January 21. The unexpected shutdown was attributed to an electronic malfunction discovered during the extraction of control rods, prompting the operator to fully stop the reactor's operations.

The Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) promptly confirmed that the incident poses no threat to the plant or the surrounding environment. Official statements reiterated that no radiation leaks or changes in radiation levels have been detected within or around the facility, alleviating immediate public safety concerns regarding nuclear risk.

Commercial operation of the unit was originally slated to commence by February 26. However, plant specialists had previously encountered equipment issues in mid-January during control rod extraction tests, which already caused prior delays in the restart process. The timeline for the reactor's re-activation remains uncertain, underscoring the persistent complexities in resuming nuclear operations.

The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, boasting seven reactors with a total capacity of 8.2 GW, holds the distinction of being the world's largest nuclear facility. Following the devastating Fukushima Daiichi disaster in 2011, Japan suspended all 54 of its nuclear reactors. Since then, the country has been undergoing a gradual restart process for nuclear units, adhering to significantly enhanced safety measures. Currently, 14 nuclear power units are operational across Japan, with their number expected to grow steadily as the nation seeks to bolster its energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

This setback presents a renewed challenge for TEPCO, which remains under intense scrutiny due to its role in the Fukushima disaster. Such recurring incidents raise questions about the efficacy of safety protocols and the reliability of equipment as Japan endeavors to revive its nuclear sector. The NRA continues to exercise stringent oversight over all restart operations, emphasizing compliance with the highest international safety standards to ensure public trust and operational integrity.

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