The revised energy policy should also help Japan, the fifth largest emitter of carbon dioxide, boost its decarbonization efforts
Japan’s government plans to increase the use of nuclear energy, dropping a ten-year-old trend of reducing its dependence on this energy source and reversing restrictions after the Fukushima disaster in 2011.
Last year, the country used coal and other natural gas to generate over 60 % of its electricity needs. On Tuesday, it proposed a new energy strategy that advocates the full utilization of nuclear and renewable energy sources to support growth and reduce emissions.
The draft policy, which will be approved, also recommends the construction of new nuclear reactors.
According to the strategy drafted by the trade ministry and advice given by a panel of 16 experts, by fiscal 2040, nuclear energy will contribute to about 20% of the country’s energy needs, while renewables will provide around 40 to 50% of the energy needs.
It is an extension of the previous year’s goal, where nuclear will cover up to 20% to 22% by 2030 of the energy mix, which shows that the country is committed to technology, which will continue for the next 10 years.
In fiscal 2023, renewables covered about 23% of the energy portfolio, while nuclear energy made up approximately 8.5%, based on the latest figures from the trade ministry data.
Countries globally are experiencing a nuclear power renaissance since governments and energy-intensive industries strive to strengthen energy security by reducing their dependency on imported fuels and ensuring a reliable supply of emissions-free electricity.
During a panel discussion on Tuesday, Yoshifumi Murase, commissioner of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy in the trade ministry, stated that since Japan can not easily access its resources and faces geographical challenges like the mountain terrain and deep water, it limits the expansion of renewable energy sources. Japan still faces weakness in its energy infrastructure.
Adding emission-free electricity is essential to attracting more data center operators and advancing manufacturing sectors such as semiconductor production.
Companies like Alphabet Inc’s Google and Nvidia Corp-based cloud service company Ubitus K.K. have expressed interest in using nuclear power from Japan, while companies like Microsoft Corp. are focusing on building their local social power plants.
The revised energy policy should also help Japan, the fifth largest emitter of carbon dioxide, boost its decarbonization efforts, which scientists and climate activists criticize as inadequate.
Japan is also contemplating setting a new target to cut emissions by 60% by 2035 from the 2013 levels, although this is less ambitious than the targets set by countries like the United Kingdom.
Historically, nuclear power accounts for about one-third of Japan’s energy portfolio, but after the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant accident, 54 power reactors were taken down.
Out of all the 33 reactors that are still there, only 14 are currently back to power. The first policy was established in 2014 and aimed to reduce the country’s dependence on nuclear power.
The advisory panel recommended that Japan consider replacing its decommissioned plants with new, cutting-edge reactors.
However, increasing their nuclear output will be challenging due to the stringent regulations that were established after the Fukushima disaster.
Utilities must go through a lengthy process to win approval from the public and other necessary authorizations.
Fossil fuels constitute 30% to 40% of Japan’s total energy portfolio by 2040, compared to 69% in fiscal 2023.
The strategy highlighted the sustained significance of coal and liquified natural gas (LNG) and urged the government to continue developing resources at home and internationally.
Overall, Japan’s yearly energy demand is also expected to reverse the latest declines due to rising electrification and demands from artificial intelligence.
The total power generation will increase up to 1,200 terawatt hours annually by 2040, a 20% increase from 2023.