A delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived in Japan on Jan. 23 to check whether appraisal procedures for stress tests for nuclear plants are appropriate.
A delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived in Japan on Jan. 23 to check whether appraisal procedures for stress tests for nuclear plants are appropriate.
The delegation will examine Kansai Electric Power Co.’s evaluations for the No. 3 and No. 4 reactors at the Oi nuclear power plant and the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency’s appraisal of the utility’s evaluations.
The team, which will stay in Japan until Jan. 31, will submit a report after it completes its investigation.
In draft results of its appraisal, the NISA said Kansai Electric’s evaluations are appropriate. The agency will issue final results based on the delegation’s investigation.
James Lyons, director of the IAEA’s Nuclear Installation Safety Division who heads the delegation, said he appreciates Japan giving the IAEA an opportunity to check the appraisal procedures.
The IAEA sent its delegation at the request of the Japanese government.
Ten members of the IAEA delegation, including experts from member countries’ regulatory authorities, visited the NISA on Jan. 23. Delegation members will inspect the Oi nuclear power plant in Oi, Fukui Prefecture, on Jan. 26.
Stress tests are required for nuclear power reactors shut down for periodic inspections before they restart. They were introduced after the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant was crippled by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
Stress tests check how much leeway nuclear power plants have to withstand an earthquake, tsunami or power loss in terms of time and equipment performance.