Japan's Ikata Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 Decommissioning Plan to Enter Second Phase

The Environmental Safety Management Committee for the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant, established by the Ehime Prefectural Government, recently held a meeting to review the progress of the decommissioning plan for Unit 1 of the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant. The unit ceased operation in 2016 and is currently in the decommissioning implementation phase.

Unit 1 of the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant is operated by Shikoku Electric Power Co. The company began decommissioning the unit in 2017, planning to carry out the work in four phases over a total period of approximately 40 years. Currently, the first phase has been largely completed, primarily involving the removal of nuclear fuel. Shikoku Electric Power Co. has applied to the Japanese central government to enter the second phase, which involves dismantling equipment around the reactor area, and has submitted a prior consultation request to the Ehime Prefectural Government and the town of Ikata regarding the relevant arrangements.

At the meeting held on the 29th, relevant parties reported that the Japanese central government had approved Shikoku Electric Power Co.'s phase transition plan this month. Subsequently, a specialized committee composed of experts from within and outside Ehime Prefecture, together with the Japanese central government and Shikoku Electric Power Co., confirmed safety management measures during the decommissioning work, including risk response measures in the event of an earthquake and methods for assessing the impact on surrounding areas.

The specialized committee plans to submit a review report at the next meeting. Thereafter, the higher-level body, the Environmental Safety Management Committee for the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant, will conduct further deliberations and decide whether to approve the decommissioning plan to enter the second phase.