Tokyo, Jan 30 (EFE).- Reactor number 4 of the Takahama nuclear power plant, in the Japanese prefecture of Fukui (west), was automatically deactivated today and is stable after detecting a rapid decrease in neutrons, an indication of possible core fission.
The plant’s operating company, Kansai Electric Power, notified the authorities about the shutdown, which took place within the safety protocols provided at around 3:21 p.m. local time (6:21 GMT), according to the prefecture of Fukui and the Japanese nuclear regulator.
The process of deactivation and cooling of the nuclear fuel have been carried out without problems, and no irregularities have been detected in the radiation levels at the atomic facilities, according to the Fukui authorities at a press conference.
The Government of this Japanese prefecture also affirmed that there have been no anomalies in the temperature and pressure of the reactor, and added that today’s incident will not affect the electricity supply in the area.
Kansai Electric Power and the Japanese nuclear regulator are investigating the causes of the incident, which are currently unknown.
Takahama Reactor 4 was commissioned in November 2022 and had been in commercial operation since December.
This unit was reactivated after passing the Japanese nuclear regulator’s review based on the new and stricter safety standards applied in Japan following the 2011 Fukushima atomic accident.
Likewise, the neutron detectors that triggered the deactivation of the reactor today had been calibrated on the 26th to verify that they were working accurately, according to local authorities.