The Monju fast reactor in Japan is now scheduled to restart next February - after a sodium leak which forced it out of action almost 15 years ago.
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A functional test program covering the entire reactor system is now complete and Japan Atomic 抖阴传媒在线 Agency (JAEA) have moved to the next phase of preparation. A chart from JAEA tentatively shows operation starting from February 2010 and entering full swing about two months later.
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The prototype fast reactor, which would produce more nuclear fuel than it consumes, is a key part of Japan's national energy strategy and politicians have urged its speedy return. Nuclear reactors already provide 30% of Japanese electricity, and this is expected to grow beyond 40% into the middle of the century when fast reactors like Monju should be ready for widespread deployment. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has been tasked with developing suitable designs, while Japan as a nation is cooperating in efforts like the Generation IV International Forum.
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Monju started up in April 1994 and was meant to generate 280 MWe, but a leak of its liquid sodium coolant during performance tests put it out of action from December 1995. A February return would be over a year later than the last published schedule, which was five months later than the one before.
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Only Russia currently has fast reactors that provide power to the grid, the 560 MWe Beloyarsk 3 and a 12 MWe unit at Dimitrovgrad. Other nations that have used the experimentally in the past include France, Germany, Kazakhstan, the UK and the USA. A further Beloyarsk fast reactor is under construction at the moment and should produce 880 MWe from 2014, while there are plans for a 1200 MWe unit to start at Beloyarsk in the 2020s.
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