Nuclear Reactor at Onagawa Power Station Operated by Tohoku Electric to Be Shut Down
Tohoku Electric Power's Onagawa Nuclear Reactor to Undergo Maintenance
The No. 2 reactor at Tohoku Electric Power Co.'s Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, will be temporarily suspended for maintenance starting around Thursday. The power utility has decided to replace faulty measurement equipment ahead of schedule due to the procurement of necessary equipment becoming possible.
The reactor, a boiling water reactor, resumed commercial operations last December following an approximately 13-year hiatus. However, two of the four devices installed inside the reactor's containment vessel have malfunctions, necessitating their replacement.
The devices being replaced are designed to measure hydrogen gas concentration in the event of a nuclear accident. This is crucial for maintaining safety and ensuring reliable operation of the reactor before restarting it. The suspension is expected to last about 10 days, after which the reactor is expected to resume operations.
The Onagawa plant's No. 2 reactor is the same type as the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. The reactor was temporarily suspended due to safety checks and problems with measurement equipment in August 2021. Tohoku Electric Power initially planned to replace the devices during its regular inspection in January 2026, but has decided to exchange all four units ahead of schedule.
The Onagawa plant is situated in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan. The maintenance on the reactor is a standard practice to address issues that could affect reactor performance or safety, allowing the operator to meet regulatory standards and prevent operational risks. The aim is to ensure that the reactor can operate safely and stably once restarted.
The power utility involved in this maintenance is Tohoku Electric Power Co. The Onagawa plant's No. 2 reactor went back online last October after the temporary shutdown in August 2021. Tohoku Electric Power plans to complete the maintenance and resume operations of the reactor in about 10 days.
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