Jacobs Supports Japan Nuclear Plant Decommissioning

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has selected Jacobs and Cavendish Nuclear to support the decommissioning of the Monju Prototype Fast Reactor (PFR) in Fukui Prefecture, Japan.

Jacobs and Cavendish Nuclear will construct a facility in the U.K. to treat sodium coolant material removed from the reactor. The end product, sodium hydroxide, will be recycled for industrial use. Design, construction, operation and final dismantling of the treatment plant is expected to take place over a 10-year period.

“We will draw on our knowledge and experience from previous sodium treatment projects to help execute the sodium removal plan, enabling JAEA to proceed with the decommissioning of Monju,” says Jacobs Energy, Security & Technology Vice President Karen Wiemelt. “Dealing safely and effectively with legacy sites protects the environment and is an essential prerequisite for further investment in nuclear technologies to assist with the transition to a net zero carbon economy.”

The Monju sodium does not present any significant radiological concern but does require careful treatment and handling to minimize the hazards associated with reactive alkali metal.

Similar in design to the Prototype Fast Reactor at Dounreay in the U.K., the Monju plant was intended to use up spent nuclear fuel from Japan’s nuclear power stations. It began operations in 1994 and was shut down in 2010. Jacobs has been working at the Dounreay site in the Scottish Highlands for more than two decades, managing highly complex decommissioning, demolition and cleanup projects.

“It is encouraging that JAEA can now engage in this important project with Cavendish Nuclear and Jacobs which have a high level of technology based on their experience in the U.K. JAEA wishes that the relationship between us will be further enhanced,” says JAEA President Koguchi Masanori.

The announcement by JAEA came exactly a month after Jacobs CEO Bob Pragada opened the company’s new office in Tokyo to meet growing demand for consulting and advisory services to support projects in decommissioning, energy transition, climate response, advanced facilities and defense.