Fugen Nuclear Power Plant

Fugen Nuclear Power Plant is a decommissioned nuclear power plant located in Tsuruga, Fukui, Japan. Operated by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, the plant was in operation from 1979 to 2003. It was the first and only heavy water moderated, boiling light water cooled reactor in Japan.

History

The Fugen Nuclear Power Plant was constructed in 1972 and began operations in 1979. The plant was designed to use a unique combination of heavy water and light water as its coolant and moderator. This design was intended to allow the plant to use a wider range of nuclear fuel types, including plutonium and uranium.

In 2003, the plant was shut down for regular inspections. However, due to the high cost of operating and maintaining the unique reactor design, as well as public concerns about nuclear safety following the Three Mile Island accident, the decision was made not to restart the plant. The plant was officially decommissioned in 2008.

Decommissioning

The decommissioning process for the Fugen Nuclear Power Plant has been a complex and lengthy process. Due to the unique design of the reactor, standard decommissioning procedures could not be used. Instead, a custom plan had to be developed, involving the removal and disposal of the heavy water moderator, the light water coolant, and the nuclear fuel.

As of 2021, the decommissioning process is still ongoing. The Japan Atomic Energy Agency estimates that the process will not be completed until 2033.

See also

• Nuclear power in Japan
• List of nuclear power plants in Japan
• Decommissioning of nuclear power plants