Nuclear power supply restarts in Japan

Japan regained supply of nuclear-generated electricity early Thursday when a reactor at the Oi plant in western Japan was connected to the generator and transmission grid. All other reactors in the country were not in operation for long inspections following the Fukushima nuclear crisis after the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Nuclear-generated electricity made up about 30% of Japan's output before the disaster. Following its reactivation Sunday after being closed for 15 months for mandatory checks, the No. 3 reactor at the Kansai Electric Power Company plant in Fukui Prefecture had its turbine linked and began generating and supplying power. It will gradually increase output and run at full capacity as early as from Monday, (Kyodo) news agency reported today quoting power officials as saying. The resumption of the 1.18 million-kilowatt reactor is expected to ease the utility's projected power shortfall for this summer to 9.2% from 14.9% and lead the government to lower its summer power-saving target for the firm's service area in western Japan to 10% from 15%.