Shutdown of Hamaoka nuclear power reactor extended

Chubu Electric Power extended the scheduled shutdown, beginning in late September, of Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station Reactor No. 5.

During the Suruga Bay earthquake of August 11, 2009, greater seismic activity was observed at Reactor No. 5 than at the other reactors. In light of this, Chubu Electric Power provided a report to the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency on facility inspection and evaluation results, as well as facility soundness evaluation results by seismic response analysis of equipment important to anti-seismic design, as based on observation records. The agency determined that Reactor No. 5 had maintained its soundness.

In addition, Chubu Electric Power has reported the results of its confirmation of the seismic safety of Reactor No. 5 in the event of an anticipated Tokai earthquake as based on the Suruga Bay earthquake experience to government Working Groups*. The opinion was expressed by the Working Groups that there should be a better explanation of the seismic motion calculated by Chubu Electric Power to confirm the impact. In light of these views, Chubu Electric Power will provide an additional report to the Working Groups and explain the contents of that report to the local community.

The company’s plan is to resume operation of Reactor No. 5 after that.