Overview
- TEPCO announced completion of a full-size cover over Fukushima Daiichi Unit 1, measuring about 66 by 56 by 68 meters and assembled away from high-radiation areas before installation.
- Crane installation is planned with debris removal targeted to start around April 2026, and extraction of 392 spent and unused fuel assemblies is slated for fiscal years 2027–2028.
- The company postponed the January 20 restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Unit 6 to at least January 21 after an alarm tied to control-rod withdrawal failed during testing; settings were revised on January 18.
- TEPCO found the same configuration error on 88 of 205 control rods, with the mis-setting dating back to the unit’s 1996 startup, and it is conducting comprehensive verification.
- TEPCO notified the Nuclear Regulation Authority and plans to brief local stakeholders, with reporting noting that withdrawing an incorrect rod without an alarm could risk unintended criticality.