Japan is set to significantly increase its reliance on nuclear power, abandoning a decade-long policy of reducing its dependence on the energy source, Bloomberg reports.
The government unveiled a new energy strategy on Tuesday that calls for maximizing both nuclear and renewable energy to fuel economic growth and meet emissions reduction targets. This marks a dramatic shift from the policies implemented following the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear disaster.
The proposed strategy, expected to be formally adopted, recommends the construction of new nuclear reactors and aims for nuclear power to comprise roughly 20% of Japan’s energy mix by fiscal year 2040, with renewables accounting for 40% to 50%. This extends a previous target of 20% to 22% nuclear power by 2030, demonstrating a sustained commitment to nuclear technology.
Currently, renewables contribute about 23% and nuclear power roughly 8.5% to Japan’s energy mix. The country relied on coal and natural gas for over 60% of its electricity generation last year. The government cites resource limitations and geographical challenges, including mountainous terrain and deep waters, as constraints on expanding renewable energy sources.
The push for increased nuclear and renewable energy is driven by a need to enhance energy security, reduce reliance on imported fuels, and attract data center operators and advanced manufacturers, such as semiconductor companies, which are increasingly seeking emissions-free power sources. Companies like Google and Ubitus K.K. have already expressed interest in utilizing nuclear power in Japan.
This revised energy strategy is also intended to accelerate Japan’s decarbonization efforts, which have faced criticism for being insufficient. While Japan is considering a new target of cutting emissions by 60% by 2035 (from 2013 levels), this remains less ambitious than targets set by some other nations, such as the UK.
Before the Fukushima disaster, nuclear power accounted for approximately one-third of Japan’s energy mix. Following the disaster, all 54 reactors were shut down. Currently, only 14 of the 33 still operable reactors are back online. The new strategy calls for replacing decommissioned plants with advanced reactors. However, the implementation faces challenges, including stringent post-Fukushima regulations and the need to secure public acceptance and regulatory approvals. Fossil fuels are projected to account for 30% to 40% of the energy mix by 2040, down from 69% in fiscal year 2023. The strategy also emphasizes continued development of domestic and overseas fossil fuel resources. Driven by increasing electrification and AI demands, Japan’s annual power demand is also projected to rise to as much as 1,200 terawatt hours by 2040, a 20% increase from 2023 levels.
