Sendai Begins Operation of Waste Transfer Facility - JAPAN ATOMIC INDUSTRIAL FORUM, INC.

On June 3, Kyushu Electric Power announced the completion and commencement of operation of a new waste transfer facility at its Sendai Nuclear Power Plants (PWRs, 890 MW × 2 units).

The facility is designed to safely and efficiently process and transport miscellaneous solid radioactive waste—such as metals—generated by nuclear power operations. The system comprises a Compression and Solidification Building and a Solid Waste Transfer Inspection Building. Waste is compressed, solidified with mortar, and transported as “filled solidified waste.” The facility aims to process approximately 1,500 drums annually. The filled solidified waste will be transported to Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd.’s low-level radioactive waste disposal center in Rokkasho Village, Aomori Prefecture, starting from FY2027.

Liquid low-level radioactive waste at Sendai NPPs has been solidified uniformly with asphalt and transported since the plants began operation. The new facility enables solid waste also to be processed on-site and transported as filled solidified waste, thus strengthening the plant’s overall waste management capability.

Kyushu Electric Power commented on the facility’s operational launch: “We will continue to carry out planned transportation of low-level radioactive waste, ensuring safety and earning the trust and confidence of the local community.”