Japan is planning its first new nuclear reactor since Fukushima

Japan is planning its first new nuclear reactor since Fukushima

The Kansai Electric Power Company has decided to conduct surveys for the construction of a new nuclear reactor at its Mihama Nuclear Power Plant in Fukui Prefecture, western Japan. This is being done as part of the decommissioning of the existing plant and represents Japan's first concrete step towards building a new nuclear reactor since the devastating earthquake disaster in eastern Japan in 2011, which led to a meltdown at Tokyo Electric Power's Fukushima plant and forced its operations to cease.

Japan's dependence on fossil fuels

Japan remains heavily dependent on imports of fossil fuels. The government wants nuclear energy to play a larger role in the country's energy security. Kansai Electric is currently the largest nuclear power plant operator in Japan by the number of active reactors.

Comprehensive investigations planned

The announced surveys focus on topographical and geological studies and also include dialogue with local citizens, the company said.

Technological advances for new reactors

"Considering costs, operational efficiency and compliance with new regulations, we consider the SRZ-1200, an advanced light water reactor, to be the most realistic option," Hiroaki Kitaura, a senior manager at Kansai's nuclear power department, said in a news conference.

Collaboration with Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is working with four utilities, including Kansai Electric and Hokkaido Electric Power, on the basic design of the new type of reactor. Although Kansai Electric did not provide an estimate of construction costs, Kitaura stated that financing will be raised through bonds, loans and other appropriate means. There are currently no plans to increase equity capital.

Review of previous systems

The company had been analyzing a replacement for the Mihama No. 1 reactor since November 2010, but stopped studies after the 2011 disaster. In 2015, the decision was made to shut down reactors No. 1 and No. 2 in Mihama.

The need for new reactors

"In view of the expected significant losses in nuclear energy supply, it is necessary to start the creation of next-generation reactors. This should be done under the premise of ensuring safety and gaining local understanding to secure low-carbon energy supply," Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoji Muto said on Tuesday.

Current situation of nuclear power in Japan

Japan currently operates over a dozen reactors with a total output of around 12 gigawatts. Many of these reactors are in the process of being re-licensed to meet stricter safety standards introduced after the Fukushima disaster. Before the disaster in 2011, Japan operated a total of 54 reactors.