(Source: Jiji Press English News Service)
Kanazawa, Ishikawa Pref., March 30 (Jiji Press)--Hokuriku Electric Power Co. on Monday restarted the No. 1 reactor of its Shika nuclear power plant in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa about two years after it was shut down over an accident.
Hokuriku Electric aims to resume commercial operations of the 540,000-kilowatt reactor in mid-May or later after inspecting valves, pipes and protective equipment.
The reactor was shut down in March 2007 when the company admitted covering up a 1999 criticality accident at the reactor.
After the cover-up came to light, Hokuriku Electric reviewed its compliance system and enhanced the quake resistance of the reactor. The government also carried out thorough inspections of the facility.
The reactor's suspension pushed up costs at Hokuriku Electric which increased thermal power generation.END
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