The strategy of reducing the annual outage length of Fukushima-II NPS

The ninth annual outage inspection of Fukushima-II NPS unit No.3 was executed within 36 days from September 12 to October 17, 1998. The outage length of 36 days is the shortest in our history. The capacity factor will exceed 86% in fiscal 1998. It used to be emphasized the necessity for energy security and safety rather than costs in the nuclear industry. Recently, environment of the electric industry has been becoming more competitive. The nuclear industry had to participate in the competition. The preparations for shortening the annual outage length were begun in 1994. The shortening activities have progressed with the policy which ensure safety and reliability. The outage length has been reduced from mid-80 s to 36 days step by step over 3 years. The most important factor in shortening the outage length is to commit all participants, employees and contractors. Because of the endeavor to shorten the outage length, the capacity factor of Fukushima-II NPS is being maintained at a higher level. Hereafter the capacity factor level of 85% will continue, except unplanned shutdown. (author)