HOME / Stress tests
Stress tests show room for EU improvement
Stress tests show room for EU improvement
Safety is generally good at Europe's nuclear power plants although nearly all need to make some improvements, according to the European Commission's formally released findings on the results of stress tests. Some regulators are not entirely happy with the way the Commission has drawn its conclusions.
Regulation & Safety · Friday, 5 October 2012
Ohi restart gives Japan breathing space
Ohi restart gives Japan breathing space
The Japanese government has announced it will be able to scale back energy saving targets in some areas thanks to the restart of Kansai Electric's Ohi 3.
Nuclear Policies · Monday, 9 July 2012
Ohi producing power again
Ohi producing power again
Ohi 66x48Japan has generated its first nuclear electricity in two months after unit 3 of the Ohi plant began supplying power to the grid today. While unit 4 of the plant is expected to resume operation by the end of the month, it is not yet known when the country's other idled reactors will restart.
Regulation & Safety · Thursday, 5 July 2012
Ohi reactors cleared for restart
Ohi reactors cleared for restart
Permission to restart the first two of Japan's idled fleet of nuclear power reactors has been given by the prime minister following approvals from local municipal and prefectural authorities. Units 3 and 4 of the Ohi plant are both expected to be back at full power by the end of next month.
Regulation & Safety · Monday, 18 June 2012
Fossil fuels rule Japan
Fossil fuels rule Japan
Japanese generation by source 72x31Fossil fuels now provide some 90% of Japan's electricity as nuclear plants remain shut down. Consumption of crude and heavy oil for electricity is at a four-year high.
Energy & Environment · Thursday, 31 May 2012
Stress tests on the home straight
Stress tests on the home straight
European nuclear countries (2012, ENSREG) 45x48 Nuclear operators in Europe have taken "significant steps to improve the safety of their plants" as a result of stress tests, said regulators from the continent in a review of each others' work on the program.
Regulation & Safety · Friday, 27 April 2012
Restart decisions rest with politicians
Restart decisions rest with politicians
Japanese cabinet four April 2012 77x48Members of the Japanese cabinet have met publicly to discuss restarting reactors while the country's crisis of confidence in nuclear safety continues. At the centre of debate is the potential restart of two reactors at the Ohi plant.
Regulation & Safety · Tuesday, 10 April 2012
IAEA reports on Japan's stress tests
IAEA reports on Japan's stress tests
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has published its final report on Japan's revised nuclear safety assessment process. It found that the new Japanese measures are "generally consistent" with IAEA safety standards, but outlined several areas for improvement.
Regulation & Safety · Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Longer life in theory for Ikata 2
Longer life in theory for Ikata 2

Amid controversy on the future of nuclear power in Japan, and while many reactors await permission to restart from inspection, authorities have nevertheless approved ten more years of operation for Ikata 2.

Regulation & Safety · Friday, 16 March 2012
Japanese stress test results approved
Japanese stress test results approved
Ohi 66x48Japan's nuclear safety regulator has endorsed the results of stress tests at two idled nuclear power reactors, clearing the way for their possible restart. Meanwhile, a sharp rise in the temperature recorded in unit 2 of the Fukushima Daiichi plant could be the result of a faulty thermometer.
Regulation & Safety · Monday, 13 February 2012
IAEA reviews Japan's nuclear restart process
IAEA reviews Japan's nuclear restart process

A team of international nuclear safety experts has reviewed Japan's plans to confirm the safety of its nuclear plants as dire economic conditions grip the country's power industry.

Regulation & Safety · Tuesday, 31 January 2012
IAEA double-checks Japanese tests
IAEA double-checks Japanese tests
James_Lyons_IAEA_(Image_GWebb/IAEA)_48

A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency has kicked off its review of Japanese nuclear safety tests with a series of open meetings in Japan.

Regulation & Safety · Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Keep me informed