東電とうでんHD株主かぶぬし総会そうかい 小早川こばやかわ社長しゃちょう“柏崎かしわざき刈羽かりわ原発げんぱつ 早期そうき再さい稼働かどう目指めざす”

The shareholders meeting of Tokyo Electric Power Holdings was held, and President Tomoaki Kobayakawa stated that the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Niigata Prefecture is an essential power source from the perspective of electricity supply, expressing his intention to aim for an early restart.

Approximately 400 shareholders attended the Tokyo Electric Power Holdings shareholders meeting held in Koto Ward, Tokyo.

Tokyo Electric Power Company announced on the 25th that, regarding the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, which has been a focal point, they will prioritize the restart of Unit 6 instead of Unit 7, which had been undergoing preparations ahead of schedule.

Regarding the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, President Kobayakawa said, We will proceed with business operations on the fundamental premise of ensuring the soundness of the equipment as well as the safety and reliability of the power plant.

It is an essential power source from the perspective of strengthening the resilience of power supply and realizing a decarbonized society, he said, expressing his intention to aim for an early restart while gaining the understanding of the local community.

At the general meeting on the 26th, some shareholders made proposals such as switching all power sources to renewable energy like solar and wind power, and stopping financial support for Japan Atomic Power Company, which owns nuclear power plants with no prospects for restarting operations.

Shareholders expressed opinions such as, “Investing over one trillion yen in the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, which cannot be operated, will only result in losses,” and, “With the rapid growth in demand for AI and other technologies expected in the future, we want the early restart of nuclear power plants to strengthen stable electricity supply.”

Before the Tokyo Electric Power Holdings shareholders meeting, shareholders were asked about the restart of nuclear power plants.

A man in his 60s said, Since the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, we should be cautious about restarting operations. Especially in the area supplied by TEPCO, I think its still too soon to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant.

If possible, I think it would be better not to restart it, he said.

On the other hand, a man in his 50s said, Its okay to restart the nuclear power plants.

We need to use electricity efficiently and save energy, but electricity is something we cant do without, he said.