Jarpan will extend reactor inspection intervals from 13 to 24 months. Under the previous set of inspection regulations, nuclear plant inspections had to be performed before the end of a 13-month operating period. This meant that annual load factors tended to lag well behind those of many other countries, with a consequential impact on power companies' bottom line. According to the Japan Industrial Nuclear Forum (JAIF), under the new inspection system that came into effect on January 1 the intervals will be gradually extended, first to 18 months and then to 24 months, although the next inspections will be performed under the 13-month system. JAIF explained that authorization to move to a 24-month cycle will depend on an assessment of each plant's operational experience, accumulated maintenance data, and other relevant information to ensure that safety will not be impaired by longer operation.
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