Tottori Prefecture nuclear safety advisory council approves safety of MOX fuel plan for Shimane Unit 2

The Tottori Prefecture Nuclear Safety Advisory Council held a meeting in Yonago City on September 6 and submitted an opinion on the MOX fuel power generation project planned by Chugoku Electric Power Co. for Unit 2 of the Shimane Nuclear Power Station. The opinion stated that, based on explanations provided by Chugoku Electric Power Co. and the Japanese government, the safety of the project “can be ensured.”

The Shimane Nuclear Power Station is located in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. Chugoku Electric Power Co. plans to use mixed oxide fuel, or MOX fuel, consisting of uranium and plutonium, in Unit 2. This type of power generation is also referred to as “plutonium thermal power generation” in Japan.

The opinion also requested that Tottori Prefecture promptly conduct on-site investigations in the event of abnormalities, and that Chugoku Electric Power Co. continue to improve safety performance on the premise that “human error may occur.”

After receiving the opinion from the council chairman, Takanori Kitada, professor of reactor physics at Osaka University, Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai stated that the prefectural government would carefully compile its own views while also considering the opinions of Yonago City, Sakaiminato City, and residents. Both Yonago City and Sakaiminato City are located within 30 kilometers of the Shimane Nuclear Power Station.

The council was established by Tottori Prefecture to provide expert opinions and recommendations to the prefectural government on nuclear power-related matters and holds regular meetings. Regarding the MOX fuel power generation project, Chugoku Electric Power Co. requested in June this year that Tottori Prefecture initiate consultations. Since July, the advisory team has conducted expert reviews, including on-site inspections.

The MOX fuel power generation plan for Unit 2 of the Shimane Nuclear Power Station received national approval in Japan in 2008. In 2009, Shimane Prefecture and Matsue City gave prior consent based on safety agreements concluded with Chugoku Electric Power Co. Following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, Tottori Prefecture, Yonago City, and Sakaiminato City also concluded safety agreements with Chugoku Electric Power Co.

In February 2014, Chugoku Electric Power Co. indicated to Matsue City, where the nuclear power station is located, that it expected to begin MOX fuel power generation in fiscal year 2017. Shinji Hirai and others at the time stated that they had not received explanations regarding the plan itself and strongly opposed it; Chugoku Electric Power Co. subsequently requested consultations with relevant local governments under the safety agreements.