Japan Reactivates Onagawa Nuclear Reactor: A Milestone In Post-Fukushima Recovery And Decarbonization Efforts

By Tommy Wilson | Thursday, 31 October 2024 01:00 AM
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In a significant move, Japan has reactivated a nuclear reactor at the Onagawa plant, a decade after the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami of 2011 caused severe damage to the nearby Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The No. 2 reactor, which was brought back online on Tuesday, is projected to commence power generation in early November, according to Tohoku Electric Power Co. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first time the reactor, situated a mere 62 miles north of Fukushima, has been operational since the disaster, following substantial safety enhancements.

As reported by Newsweek, the Onagawa plant, located north of the Fukushima Daiichi plant, houses three reactors. In 2011, three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant melted down after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, releasing substantial amounts of radiation. However, the Onagawa reactor remained resilient during the crisis, withstanding a 13-meter tsunami that failed to disable its critical cooling systems. This resilience has transformed it into a symbol of Japan's ongoing recovery and engineering prowess.

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Post-Fukushima, Japan decommissioned all 54 of its commercial nuclear reactors for safety reassessments and upgrades. Currently, 13 out of the 33 viable reactors have been reactivated, with Onagawa No. 2 being the latest addition. Kojiro Higuchi, President of Tohoku Electric Power, emphasized that the reactor's restart is a crucial step towards the local community's recovery from the disaster. It also aligns with the government's broader objective of revitalizing nuclear power as a stable, low-emission energy source.

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In 2020, Japan reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear energy, setting a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The strategy includes reactivating more closed reactors, extending the operational life of older facilities, and developing next-generation reactors. "Nuclear energy, along with renewables, is an important power source for decarbonization," stated Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. "We will maximize its use while ensuring safety."

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However, Japan's transition towards nuclear energy is not without controversy. A recent earthquake on Japan's Noto Peninsula, measuring 7.5 in magnitude, resulted in over 400 fatalities and caused extensive damage to over 100,000 buildings. Although only minor issues were reported at nearby nuclear facilities, the quake reignited public debate over the risks and the adequacy of evacuation protocols for communities near nuclear plants.

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Tohoku Electric has introduced new anti-quake measures and constructed a 29-meter high anti-tsunami wall as part of the Onagawa plant's recent upgrades. However, with 21 reactors, including six at Fukushima Daiichi, facing decommission due to high upgrade costs, the future of Japan's nuclear energy sector depends on striking a balance between safety, energy security, and public trust.

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