TEPCO Restarts Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Unit 6 After 14-Year Shutdown (9.1-Magnitudequake Triggered Fukushima)

TEPCO has restarted Unit 6 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, the first reactor to come online since the 2011 Fukushima disaster that followed a 9.1-magnitude earthquake and tsunami. The 1,360 MW reactor marks the first restart since Japan suspended all nuclear operations pending regulatory changes. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, with a total capacity of 7,965 MW, is the world’s largest nuclear power plant. TEPCO has implemented extensive tsunami, earthquake, and terrorism protections, including a 15-meter seawall and elevating critical equipment to 35 meters. The restart reflects a policy pivot toward enhancing energy security and meeting rising demand, including for AI data centers, as Japan seeks carbon neutrality by 2050 and reduces reliance on imported LNG and coal.