TEPCO begins commercial operation of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa No. 6 reactor in Niigata
The Facts
- TEPCO began commercial operation of the No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant on April 16.
- The reactor is located at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in Niigata Prefecture.
- Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority gave approval for commercial operation after final checks or inspections of the reactor.
- This is the first time in about 14 years that a TEPCO-operated reactor has resumed commercial operation.
- The restart to commercial operation was delayed from an initial late-February target by roughly 50 days because of technical issues.
- The No. 6 reactor had been restarted earlier in 2026 before entering commercial operation.
- The reactor is operating at about 1,356 megawatts of electric output.
Context
Why is this restart significant?
It is the first time in about 14 years that a TEPCO-operated reactor has returned to commercial service, making it the company’s first such restart since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster 毎日新聞,Adnkronos,Japan Times.
What delayed commercial operation?
Sources say the reactor’s move into commercial service was pushed back from a late-February target by about 50 days because of technical issues during the restart process Adnkronos,Japan Times,Independent Global ….
What approvals were needed before commercial operation began?
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority carried out final checks and issued approval or certification before TEPCO resumed commercial operation of Unit 6 english.news.cn,毎日新聞,Japan Times.
How left and right read it
TEPCO’s return to commercial nuclear generation is significant precisely because it is the company’s first such restart in about 14 years, making the regulator’s final checks and approval especially consequential. The roughly 50-day delay caused by technical issues is also notable, underscoring why careful oversight matters as the No. 6 reactor in Niigata moves into full operation at about 1,356 megawatts.
After about 14 years without a TEPCO-operated reactor returning to commercial service, the start of No. 6 at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is a meaningful step for Japan’s energy supply. Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority completed final checks and approved the reactor, which is now operating at about 1,356 megawatts, even after a roughly 50-day delay tied to technical issues.
The receipts — all 17 sources
Wire services (1)
Independent coverage (16)
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