There is a growing possibility that Japan will rely on nuclear energy for more than 20 per cent of its total power output in 2030, compared with about 30 per cent before the Fukushima nuclear disaster started in March 2011, sources said. Following the triple reactor core meltdown at Tokyo Electric Power Co. Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, the government initially looked to reduce the dependence on nuclear energy as much as possible, issuing incentives that led to a glut in solar energy and costly natural gas imports. However, to decrease the energy costs, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry meanwhile plans to secure the base load output from such stable sources as nuclear power, coal-fired power plants and hydroelectric power, at the international standard of about 60 per cent.
In fiscal 2013, coal-fired and hydroelectric power plants accounted for 30 percent and 9 percent, respectively, of the total power output.\n\nIf the base load is to be raised to the envisioned level, the country dependence on nuclear energy will have to exceed 20 percent, because of difficulties in substantially boosting the output from thermal and hydroelectric, wind, and solar power generation, the sources said Thursday.
In a related development Thursday, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party adopted a proposal to achieve the 60 percent base load share at a nuclear power policy panel meeting. An increasing number of LDP members are leaning in favor of reviving the use of nuclear energy to curb climbing electricity bills. But other members are criticizing the base-load expansion plan as a scheme solely designed to sustain the use of nuclear power, which the government has heavily invested in for decades to offset their dependence on energy imports and inefficient wind and solar energy project to drive increasing base-load requirements throughout the country.
Original URL: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/04/03/national/japans-reliance-atomic-power-may-top-20-2030/
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