Kansai cuts prices on restart of Ohi nuclear power plant

• 6 years ago (2018-05-31)
• David Flin

Asia 859 Nuclear 643

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Kansai Electric Power Company of Japan has announced that it will cut its electricity rates by an average of 5.36 per cent following the restart of units 3 and 4 of its Ohi nuclear power plant. Kansai said that the price reduction, from ¥17.37/kWh to ¥16.44/kWh, primarily reflects savings in fuel costs for thermal power generation following the restart of Ohi. Reduced costs resulting from the streamlining of management also contributed to the rate reduction.

Unit 3 of the Ohi plant resumed commercial operation on 10 April. Unit 4 is expected to resume commercial operations in early June.

Kansai Electric has decided to decommission units 1 and 2 at Ohi, as well as units 1 and 2 at Mihama. However, the utility has applied to the Nuclear Regulation Authority to restart Takahama units 1 and 2 and Mihama unit 3.

Kansai said in a statement: “We will continuously seek to resume as soon as possible the operation of those nuclear power plants that have been confirmed to be safe. Safety will be a top priority. We will also provide an attractive rate menu for customers and further make efforts to upgrade our services to enhance the competitiveness of our electricity both in price and service.”