Safety review items for Shimane Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 confirmed, operation planned for 2030

The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan conducted a safety review of Shimane Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 on September 10. This review is a necessary procedure before the unit can be put into operation. Chugoku Electric Power Company of Japan has been constructing Shimane Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 since 2005 and has been undergoing NRA review since 2018.

At the review meeting that day, Chugoku Electric Power Company gave explanations regarding earthquake, tsunami, and severe accident response measures for Unit 3. According to the meeting, all review items were confirmed on September 10.

Next, Chugoku Electric Power Company will submit a revised document incorporating the relevant content discussed at previous review meetings. The NRA is expected to prepare a “draft review report” based on this, which will serve as an important basis for subsequent approval procedures.

If Unit 3 ultimately passes the review, Chugoku Electric Power Company will also seek opinions from local residents and relevant parties. According to the plan, the company will complete safety measures in fiscal year 2028 and promote the unit's entry into operation in fiscal year 2030.

Since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011, no newly built nuclear power unit has entered operation in Japan. Shimane Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 is therefore expected to become Japan's first newly built nuclear power unit to enter operation after the accident.

After the review work for Unit 3 was basically completed, Shimane Prefecture Governor Maruyama said that this is a milestone progress, but review reports and public opinions and other subsequent steps still need to be faced, and the prefecture will continue to pay attention to the NRA's upcoming deliberations. Matsue City Mayor Kamisada also said that he hopes Chugoku Electric Power Company will continue to seriously and earnestly advance the relevant work.