Nuclear power development in Japan

Abstract

As of September 1982, 24 nuclear power units were in operation in Japan with a total output of 17,177 MWe, 11 units were under construction, and 8 units were in the preparation stage. It is expected that nuclear power will provide 30.1% of the total of 840 TWh of generated electricity and 11.3% of the total energy supply in FY 1990. The average annual capacity factor has been raised to over 60% since 1980, due to joint efforts of the government, power utilities, and reactor suppliers to improve reliability, shorten periodic inspections, and extend operating cycle. At present, nuclear power is supplying electricity at a reasonable cost compared with other sources of power. A program of improvement and standardization of light-water reactors was initiated in 1975. In the first and second phases of this program, the following typical improvements were made: 1. (1) boiling-water reactor containment vessel design; 2. (2) pressurized-water reactor containment design; 3. (3) automatic and remote operation in control rod drive replacement; and 4. (4) steam generator heat transfer tube inspection and repair. The third phase is now in progress and will be completed in 1986, aiming at developing advanced boiling-water and pressurized-water reactors.