Restart of Unit 3 at Japan's Tomari Nuclear Power Plant May Be Delayed to After End of 2027

The restart of Unit 3 at the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant, operated by Hokkaido Electric Power in Tomari Village, Hokkaido, Japan, may be delayed to after the end of 2027. The company currently maintains its stated target of a restart in "early 2027," but has not yet provided a specific date.

Key factors affecting the restart schedule include delays in the construction of the tsunami protection embankment, a fatal accident during construction that occurred during the review process by the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan, and certain technical matters that remain under confirmation and consultation. Hokkaido Electric Power has stated that the embankment is expected to be completed by mid-August 2027. The project was originally scheduled for completion around March 2027, but the construction period has been extended due to blizzard conditions and additional work items.

In August of this year, a male worker from a partner company involved in the embankment construction died after falling into a sand and gravel silo during operations, and the relevant work was temporarily suspended. Following the accident, more cautious work arrangements have become necessary at the construction site, making it difficult to proceed at the originally planned pace.

Furthermore, during the Nuclear Regulation Authority's review of the construction plan approval process, matters such as fire protection equipment and the seismic assessment methodology for buildings still require further confirmation. Informed sources have indicated that the regulatory body's comments have exceeded expectations, and the restart timing of the unit will depend on subsequent corrective and response measures. This suggests that the restart plan for Unit 3 at the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant still carries the possibility of further delays.