Japanese power utility Kansai Electric has decided to decommission two reactors at its Ohi nuclear power plant in the Fukui prefecture (Japan), citing technical problems to meet new safety standards rather than related costs. Ohi-1 and 2, rated 1,175 MW were put into service in 1979 - they are nearing their standard operating life of 40 years - and have been offline since the Fukushima disaster in March 2011.
In the wake of the 2011 Fukushima catastrophe, Japan restricted the nuclear plants' operating lifespan to 40 years as a general rule. This lifespan can be extended to a maximum of 60 years with the Nuclear Regulation Authority's approval, but requires safety investments of up to Yen100bn per unit (US$894m).
Only five nuclear reactors are currently operating in Japan out of 42 in operation before the Fukushima events. With the two Ohi reactors to be decommissioned, a total of 14 reactors will have been scrapped since 2011. Japan will then lose its rank of third largest nuclear power sector in the world after the United States and France, to the advantage of China, which has 38 operational reactors and nearly 20 more under construction.
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