Kansai begins surveys of Mihama site for new reactor

In a statement on Wednesday the company said: "As preparations for the on-site investigation are complete, we began transporting materials and equipment today and have begun the investigation. Further preliminary investigations, including drilling surveys and surface reconnaissance, are scheduled to be completed by around March 2027.

"We will prioritise safety during this investigation, and will continue to work hard to ensure the safe and stable operation of our nuclear power plants. We will continue to promote our nuclear power generation business with the understanding of local residents and others."

The projected timeline is for the detailed survey to take place from April 2027 to 2030.

According to a Jiji Press report the survey "will examine the geological and topographical conditions of two areas inside and outside the existing plant".

Kansai originally announced in November 2010 its intention to begin a voluntary survey at the Mihama site for the construction of a new reactor to replace unit 1 there. However, the survey has been suspended since the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in March 2011.

According to a Reuters report in July, Kansai is considering deploying the SRZ-1200 advanced light water reactor being developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

MHI launched the SRZ-1200 design, which is being developed in collaboration with four Japanese utilities, in 2022. The 1200 MWe reactor is designed to meet the country's enhanced regulatory safety standards.

While both units 1 and 2 at the Mihama plant have been shut down, unit 3 of the plant is among the Japanese reactors that have resumed operation, having been restarted in June 2021.

The last nuclear power reactor to be constructed in Japan was unit 3 of Hokkaido Electric Power Company's Tomari plant, which began operation in 2009.