27 Jul (NucNet): Seven nuclear power reactors will be restarted in the current fiscal year, by the end of 31 March 2017, with another 19 in the following fiscal year to the end of March 2018, a report by Japan’s Institute of Energy Economics says. However, the report points out numerous uncertainties surrounding nuclear reactors, including judicial judgments and local agreements. In addition to its standard scenario, the report outlines a low scenario in which 12 reactors would be restarted in the same period. The Japan Atomic Industrial Forum said four reactors have been restarted in Japan after clearing examinations under the new regulatory standards imposed by the Nuclear Regulation Authority. They are Sendai-1 and -2 and Takahama-3 and -4, although the Takahama units have since been taken offline after a court issued a temporary injunction following a protest lodged by anti-nuclear activists. Applications for 22 additional reactor restarts have been filed. All of Japan’s 48 commercial reactor units were shut down for safety checks and upgrades following the Fukushima-Daiichi accident. Five reactors have been earmarked for permanent shutdown, bringing the number of potentially operable commercial units to 43.
