Japan is set to boost nuclear power as part of its clean-energy strategy, aiming to have 20% of its energy come from the source by 2040. The plan, which will replace the current policy after Cabinet approval in March, calls for a significant increase in nuclear energy and renewables.
The new proposal aims to reverse Japan’s phaseout policy for nuclear power, adopted after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in 2011. Instead, it seeks to maximize nuclear energy and expand renewables to 40-50% of the country’s energy supply by 2040.
Industry Minister Yoji Muto stated that securing low-carbon energy is crucial for Japan’s future growth, emphasizing the need to balance renewable energy with nuclear power. The draft plan outlines a number of risk scenarios, including reduced investment in renewables, but also proposes the construction of next-generation reactors and the acceleration of reactor restarts.
However, achieving the 20% target is expected to be challenging due to only 14 operational reactors after the Fukushima disaster, and the current pace of safety checks by the nuclear regulation authority. Despite these concerns, Japan remains committed to developing advanced reactors and a spent fuel reprocessing program to achieve a complete nuclear fuel cycle.
The move comes as demand for low-carbon energy grows, driven by the increasing use of AI in data centers and semiconductor factories across the country. Japan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 73% by 2040 compared to 2013 levels, with a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/japan-energy-nuclear-renewable-climate-fukushima-reactors-a9ce61e4a1cdef72cbf8f9e35deb4cfb