The operational safety programs for the Ikata nuclear power plant have been approved by Japan's nuclear regulator, moving unit 3 one step closer to restart pending final inspections. The regulator has also confirmed Takahama units 1 and 2 meet new safety standards.

Unit 3 of the Ikata nuclear power plant in Japan's Ehime prefecture has moved a step closer to restarting after the country's nuclear regulator approved Shikoku Electric Power Company's 'construction plan' to strengthen the unit.

Spain's nuclear power plants have almost completed the implementation of additional safety measures introduced in response to the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi plant five years ago, the country's nuclear industry forum Foronuclear has announced.

Shikoku Electric Power Company has submitted an amended 'construction plan' to the Japanese regulator for strengthening unit 3 of its Ikata nuclear power plant in Ehime prefecture. The plan is the second of three applications required during the restart process.

"Nuclear power plants around the world now have flexible approaches to dealing with a wide range of accident scenarios," said William Magwood, director general of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, commenting on five years of international cooperation to improve safety after the Fukushima accident.

Units 1 and 2 of Kansai Electric Power Company's Takahama nuclear power plant in Fukui prefecture meet Japan's new safety regulations, the country's nuclear regulator has decided. Both units have already operated beyond their 40-year licence period.

Japan's nuclear regulator has given Shikoku Electric Power Company permission to make changes to the reactor installation of unit 3 of its Ikata nuclear power plant in Ehime prefecture. It marks the first of three regulatory approvals required for restarting the unit.

EDF Energy announced today that it has completed post-Fukushima safety upgrades at its UK nuclear power plants within the time agreed with the regulator and to budget. The upgrades include a new emergency response centre near Sizewell B.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has ordered the operators of two of the country's three westernmost nuclear power plants to conduct additional studies into earthquake risks, but says it is confident that the units can continue operating safely while the studies are carried out.