OSAKA —
Kansai Electric Power Co has applied to the nuclear regulatory body for permission to operate a reactor in western Japan beyond the government-mandated 40-year service period.The power company asked the Nuclear Regulation Authority for approval to continue to run a unit built in 1976 at its Mihama plant in Fukui Prefecture.
“Nuclear power is very important to ensure stable power supply. We would like to continue to use it,” Kansai Electric President Makoto Yagi said at a press conference Thursday after the company lodged the application.
A regulation brought in after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear plant disaster prohibits in principle the operation of nuclear reactors for more than 40 years. But they may be allowed to continue operating for up to 20 more years if they can obtain safety clearances from the nuclear regulation watchdog.
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