Japan resumes power transmission from reactor at world’s largest nuclear plant

The company, still dealing with the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, plans to start full-scale transmission from the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant’s No. 6 reactor on March 18.

In late January, the No. 6 reactor became TEPCO’s first to restart since the meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex triggered by an earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011.

The turbine began operating Sunday evening, and electricity transmission started early Monday after no problems were detected.

During the trial, TEPCO will repeatedly disconnect and reconnect the generator while gradually raising output from 20% to full capacity. The reactor last transmitted electricity in March 2012 before shutting down for routine inspections.

Another reactor at the plant is also expected to restart, having already secured regulatory approval. However, most nuclear reactors in Japan remain offline due to lingering safety concerns after the Fukushima accident.

As part of its decarbonization push, the government aims to maximize nuclear energy use by restarting reactors that meet strict safety standards.

The No. 6 reactor was initially restarted on Jan. 21 but was shut down due to an alarm sounding during control rod extraction. It went back online on Feb. 9.

Monday’s transmission was also delayed due to a malfunction in a neutron-measuring device.