Japanese utilities agree to greater cooperation

Four electric power companies in western Japan - Chugoku, Kansai, Kyushu and Shikoku - have agreed to extend their existing cooperation in responding to nuclear emergencies as well as cooperating in the decommissioning of reactors.  

In a joint statement today, the utilities said they would cooperate in "enhancing the effectiveness of the Cooperation Agreement Between Nuclear Operators for Nuclear Emergencies", which was signed by Japan's ten electric power companies, Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited and the Japan Electric Power Development Corporation (J-Power) in October 2014.

The four companies, which operate in neighbouring areas, said they would "make the most of their geographical proximity" to help each other respond to a nuclear emergency. In addition to the existing cooperation agreement, the utilities have agreed to dispatch an additional 100-200 staff to help in the response and recovery following an accident at a nuclear facility. They will also assist in environmental radiation monitoring as well as in making radiation dose measurements of people evacuated from affected areas.

Chugoku, Kansai, Kyushu and Shikoku have also agreed to increase the amount of equipment and materials - such has heavy equipment for removing debris and protective clothing - that they will provide to each other under the existing cooperation agreement.

In addition, they have agreed to provide advice to an affected company via video conference in the event of a nuclear accident. They will also participate in emergency drills that they each regularly conduct at their nuclear facilities.

The companies have also agreed to cooperate in establishing emergency response centres and will consider "unifying" the specifications of these facilities and sharing information related to them.

As well as extending their existing emergency response cooperation, the utilities have also agreed to cooperate in the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. Under the new agreement, they are to consider "technical and procuring cooperation" and sharing information related to decommissioning.

"We will do everything possible to further ensure the stability and reliability of nuclear power operation as responsible operators," the four companies said.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News