Ikata Unit 3 is a relatively modern Mitsubishi 3 loop PWR that went into operation as late as 1994. As of now, all of the units approved by the NRA to restart are the PWR type; none of the BWR's has been approved for restart yet.
Shikoku Electric has made it very clear in statements that restarting Ikata NPP is of the utmost priority as, according to Shikoku President Hayato Saeki, the plant "is our core power source" and must be restarted "at the earliest date possible."
However, the cost to implement equipment and construction changes at the site which are now required under the new safety regime has been so enormous that it cannot be justified for the oldest unit at the site; therefore, in March, the company announced that it would decommission this unit. The company reports that its age and low output make it unprofitable to upgrade and return to service - especially considering that it would need a lifetime extension beyond the presently legally binding 40 year life. The fate of Unit 2 at the site is much less clear and will probably wait to be determined until Unit 3 is in service and making money for the company.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority began the final pre-service inspection, the absolute last regulatory step prior to restart permission being given, on April 5. According to the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, Shikoku Electric is planning to load fuel in June, startup in July and have Unit 3 on the grid in August.
For more information: NEI's Japan Nuclear Update.
