Trouble has occurred repeatedly at Kansai Electric Power's nuclear power plants. At Takahama Unit 1, the temperature of equipment used to pressurize the system and prevent radioactive cooling water from evaporating rose temporarily. The cause is unknown, but the unit was not shut down and the temperature returned to the normal range after approximately 53 hours. In addition, 3 reactor shutdown incidents occurred in less than 6 months from May to September, and no abnormalities had been detected in any of them during routine visual inspections. The effects of aging-related deterioration have also been raised, highlighting once again the challenges of operating older nuclear power plants.
An incident occurred at a Kansai Electric Power nuclear power plant. At Takahama Unit 1, the temperature of equipment used to pressurize the system and prevent radioactive cooling water from evaporating rose, but did not reach the threshold for a shutdown and returned to the normal range 53 hours later. The cause is unknown. The company has indicated that it will strengthen monitoring.
A total of 3 reactor shutdown incidents occurred from May through September. No abnormalities were detected in any of them during routine visual inspections, and aging-related deterioration of the equipment has been cited as a possible factor in some cases. The incidents again highlighted concerns about operating aging equipment.
Kansai Electric Power says it will continue operating the unit while strengthening monitoring until the scheduled inspection in December. The incident highlights the challenges associated with continuing to operate older nuclear power plants.