Decommissioning of Unit 1 at Japan's Ikata Nuclear Power Plant Proposed to Move to Phase 2

On the 11th, Ichiro Ogi, Mayor of Yawatahama City in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, reported to the prefectural government that he has agreed to the decommissioning work of Unit 1 at the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant of Shikoku Electric Power Company entering Phase 2.

Ichiro Ogi requested that Shikoku Electric Power thoroughly implement relevant measures during the subsequent decommissioning process to prevent the spread of radioactive materials, control the radiation exposure dose of workers, and protect the surrounding environment of the nuclear power plant.

Unit 1 at the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant ceased operation in 2016, and since 2017, decommissioning work has been carried out in four phases, with a planned duration of more than 40 years. Currently, the decommissioning work of this unit is still in Phase 1.

According to the safety agreement arrangements, Shikoku Electric Power has submitted a prior consultation application to the Ehime Prefectural Government, planning to enter Phase 2 starting from the next fiscal year. Subsequently, the prefectural government, in accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed with the municipalities surrounding the nuclear power plant, sought the opinion of the neighboring Yawatahama City.

The Ehime Prefecture Ikata Nuclear Power Plant Environmental Safety Management Committee had previously agreed to the transition of the unit's decommissioning work to Phase 2. The prefectural government will next continue to hear the opinions of Ikata Town, where the nuclear power plant is located, as well as the prefectural assembly, and after completing the relevant procedures, will notify Shikoku Electric Power of the final decision.