Kansai Electric Power Co. will scrap the No. 1 and No. 2 reactors at its Oi plant in Fukui Prefecture, citing cost concerns about extending the 40-year-old reactors for another two decades, according to media reports.

Kepco said in a statement Wednesday that the utility has yet to make any formal announcement.

But the decision is expected to be officially endorsed by Kepco¡¯s board of directors Friday, as the utility will face massive refurbishing costs if it seeks the extension, according to reports by several media outlets including Kyodo News.