MHI secures MOX fuel order for Ikata nuclear plant

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has received an order from Shikoku Electric Power to supply 24 MOX (mixed oxide fuel) assemblies for Unit 3 of the Ikata nuclear power station in Japan. 

The assemblies will be fabricated by Orano at its MELOX plant in France, marking a continuation of MHI’s track record of delivering 57 MOX fuel assemblies to Japanese utilities.

The use of MOX fuel enables Shikoku to reprocess spent plutonium, aligning with its plu-thermal plan to improve efficiency and sustainability in nuclear power generation. 

This follows a similar order MHI received in October for Kyushu Electric Power’s Genkai nuclear plant. Components for the MOX fuel will be manufactured by Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel, a subsidiary of MHI.

In parallel, MHI has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to explore hydrogen co-firing technologies for gas turbine power generation. 

The collaboration begins with a pilot project at an EGAT power plant, with a feasibility study expected by March 2025. 

MHI and its subsidiary, Mitsubishi Power, aim to achieve a 20% hydrogen co-firing ratio, supporting Thailand’s decarbonization goals.