Japan’s Chugoku Electric Power announced that its Shimane No. 2 nuclear reactor will be back online in early December after being shut down since 2012. The move is expected to strengthen the country’s power supply during the winter months.
By the end of December, the reactor will be connected to the grid and will enter commercial operations in January. This decision will help reduce Japan’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and increase electricity capacity for the upcoming colder weather.
In addition to Shimane No. 2, Tohoku Electric Power’s Onagawa No. 2 reactor is also scheduled to restart by the end of October. Despite government efforts to restart more nuclear plants, strict regulations and local opposition have kept many of the country’s 33 operable reactors offline.
Originally planned for August, the restart of Shimane No. 2 was delayed due to necessary safety upgrades. With these developments, Japan is taking steps towards a more secure and sustainable energy future.