Our Unit No. 5 of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Boiling Water Reactor;
rated output of 784,000 kW) began its commercial operation in April, 1978 and
has been operating for 29 years as of April 18th, 2007.
On April 16th, 2007, we submitted reports on "Plant Life Management*2" and
"Long-Term Maintenance Plan*3" for this Unit to the Ministry of Economy, Trade
and Industry based on the Rules of Installment and Operations of Commercial
Nuclear Reactors*1.
Following the on-site inspection by the central government, we resubmitted
the reports with the revision complying with the inspection notes on October
22nd and 29th. Today, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released
the examination results on "Plant Life Management" and "Long-Term Maintenance
Plan".
We will appropriately implement the Long-Term Maintenance Plan for the next 10
years in addition to the regular maintenance activities for the maintenance and
management of the mentioned Unit based on the reports reviewed by the central
government.
We will continue with ongoing improvement efforts, accumulating operating experience
and enhancing the knowledge base so that they can be reflected to the Long-Term
Maintenance Plan.
*1: Rules of Installment and Operations of Commercial Nuclear Reactors
It is mandated that a technical assessment on aging effect on important equipment
and structures for nuclear safety (Plant Life Management) be completed before the
30th anniversary of the beginning of the commercial operation date of nuclear
plants and that a 10-year action plan to maintain the reactor facilities (Long-Term
Maintenance Plan) be drawn up based on the "Rules for Installment and Operations
of Commercial Nuclear Reactors."
In addition, the "Guideline for Implementing Plant Life Management of Commercial
Nuclear Reactors" requires utilities to submit the Plant Life Management report
and long-term maintenance plan to the central government between the anniversary
dates of 28 years and 29 years of commercial operation date of the nuclear reactor.
*2: Plant life management
It identifies potential aging effects on safety-significant equipment and structures
of nuclear power plants and conducts technical assessment of their soundness, as well
as identifying further events to be added and reporting the results. These assessments
need to be revisited within 10 years.
*3: Long-term maintenance plan
A specific plan identifying the coverage, methods and schedule for the items to be
added to the ongoing maintenance activities in the next 10 years based on the results
Plant Life Management.
Appendix: Overview of Plant Life Management and Long-Term Maintenance Plan for the Unit
No.5 of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant(PDF 202KB)
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