Japan's Nuclear Sector Seeks Enhanced Support for New Reactor Builds
Industry lobby head calls for state-run capacity auctions and fund recovery schemes to boost new reactor construction.
TOKYO: Japan's nuclear power industry is advocating for greater support in the development of new reactors, particularly through state-run capacity auctions, under the administration of newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
According to Hideki Masui, president of the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF), this enhanced support should be facilitated through the long-term decarbonized capacity auction (LTDA) scheme aimed at fostering new power generation.The call for more substantial backing comes as just 14 out of the 54 nuclear plants operating in Japan before the 2011 Fukushima disaster have been restarted.
Prime Minister Takaichi has emphasized that reviving nuclear power is crucial to enhancing Japan's energy security.
Recent government measures have extended the operational lifetimes of reactors from 40 to 60 years, with a focus on reactivating shuttered facilities rather than constructing new ones.Currently, there is only one proposed new plant in the pipeline.
Masui has stressed the need for regulatory predictability and financial support for operators during the lengthy process of building new reactors in Japan, which typically spans two decades.
He highlighted that next-generation reactors currently lack specific safety guidelines, complicating the development process.In July, Kansai Electric Power Co., Japan's leading nuclear power operator, announced preliminary surveys for a new reactor in western Japan, marking the first tangible step toward constructing a new reactor since the Fukushima incident.
This move reflects Japan's strategic aim to have nuclear energy account for 20 percent of its electricity mix by 2040, up from less than 10 percent at present.The nuclear sector is showing signs of revival, with four reactors receiving initial restart permits and eight others undergoing comprehensive safety assessments.
Additionally, ten more reactors could potentially apply for restarts.
These developments suggest that Japan may be able to achieve its goal of having over 30 operational reactors by 2040, thereby meeting its target of deriving 20 percent of electricity from nuclear sources.The increasing demand for data center services is expected to contribute positively to this trend, reversing the decline in power usage witnessed in previous years.
As discussions around nuclear support and capacity auctions gain momentum, the Japanese government's commitment to a balanced energy portfolio remains a focal point in shaping the country's future energy landscape.
According to Hideki Masui, president of the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF), this enhanced support should be facilitated through the long-term decarbonized capacity auction (LTDA) scheme aimed at fostering new power generation.The call for more substantial backing comes as just 14 out of the 54 nuclear plants operating in Japan before the 2011 Fukushima disaster have been restarted.
Prime Minister Takaichi has emphasized that reviving nuclear power is crucial to enhancing Japan's energy security.
Recent government measures have extended the operational lifetimes of reactors from 40 to 60 years, with a focus on reactivating shuttered facilities rather than constructing new ones.Currently, there is only one proposed new plant in the pipeline.
Masui has stressed the need for regulatory predictability and financial support for operators during the lengthy process of building new reactors in Japan, which typically spans two decades.
He highlighted that next-generation reactors currently lack specific safety guidelines, complicating the development process.In July, Kansai Electric Power Co., Japan's leading nuclear power operator, announced preliminary surveys for a new reactor in western Japan, marking the first tangible step toward constructing a new reactor since the Fukushima incident.
This move reflects Japan's strategic aim to have nuclear energy account for 20 percent of its electricity mix by 2040, up from less than 10 percent at present.The nuclear sector is showing signs of revival, with four reactors receiving initial restart permits and eight others undergoing comprehensive safety assessments.
Additionally, ten more reactors could potentially apply for restarts.
These developments suggest that Japan may be able to achieve its goal of having over 30 operational reactors by 2040, thereby meeting its target of deriving 20 percent of electricity from nuclear sources.The increasing demand for data center services is expected to contribute positively to this trend, reversing the decline in power usage witnessed in previous years.
As discussions around nuclear support and capacity auctions gain momentum, the Japanese government's commitment to a balanced energy portfolio remains a focal point in shaping the country's future energy landscape.
