Commencement of operation (pre-conditioning interim operation) of the first half of the initial introduction section for the centrifuge updating work at Rokkasho Uranium Enrichment Plant

The Uranium Enrichment Plant of JNFL went into operation in March 1992 with the first cascade, RE-1A (150tSWU/year). Further cascades of 150tSWU/year have been subsequently added to reach the capacity of 1,050tSWU/year (150tSWU/year × seven operational units) in October 1998.

Of the 1,050tSWU/year capacity, the 75tSWU/year section at RE-2A has been undergoing work to update the original centrifuges to new ones since March 2010. JNFL hereby announces that the 37.5tSWU/year portion (first half of the initial introduction section) of the updating section has commenced its operation (pre-conditioning interim operation) today.

This portion will undergo the pre-conditioning interim operation for the time being before shifting to commercial production operation around March 2012.

【Overview of the work plan】

Category	Commencement timing of operation (pre-conditioning interim operation)
First half of the initial introduction section (37.5tSWU/year)	December 2011
Second half of the initial introduction section (37.5tSWU/year)	December 2012

*SWU (Separative Work Unit): Unit expressing the magnitude of work required to enrich natural uranium