History of MHI & Nuclear Power

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) constructed Japan’s first nuclear plant using pressurized water reactor technology, the Mihama 1, in 1971. Since then, our technologies have evolved but our goal has remained the same: to provide nuclear power plants with levels of reliability, safety, economy, operability and maintainability unparalleled in the world market.

We incorporate the latest national Light Water Reactor Improvement and Standardization Programs and other standards initiatives into all of our technologies. We have built 23 nuclear power plants in Japan and currently have one under construction, with commercial operation scheduled for 2009.

The Tsuruga 3 and Tsuruga 4 plants, now in the licensing stages for the Japan Atomic Power Company, will incorporate our Advanced PWR (APWR) plant technology. At over 1,500 megawatts, they will have one of the highest capacities in the world. These units will be capable of producing 30% more total energy than a conventional 4-loop plant. The APWR design will also incorporate a high-performance core that loads MOX fuels and operates over longer cycles.