New Industry Minister: Japan will keep nuclear but boost renewables as part of its energy mix

Japan will continue to restart nuclear power plants safely and use as much renewable electricity as possible, said Industry Minister Yojimuto on Wednesday. This indicates that the policy of newly appointed Prime Minister ShigeruIshiba is not likely to change significantly.

Ishiba had promised to eliminate nuclear power before he was elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party. He was sworn into office on Tuesday.

He was the sole candidate who opposed nuclear power in Japan. The country imports fossil fuels to produce two-thirds of its electricity.

Ishiba, who was appointed by default as prime minister and party leader in the year 2000, had a change of heart shortly before he became a proponent of zero nuclear energy. He now advocates for more renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, along with energy conservation.

Muto, who was appointed minister of economy, trade, and industry in January, told reporters that he would use renewable energy to its maximum and restart nuclear power as often as possible.

Muto stated that the "most important part" of Japan's future growth will be securing electricity. This is because more data centres and factories for semiconductors are expected to come online.

According to WoodMackenzie, solar, wind, and hydropower accounted for over a quarter of Japan’s energy generation mix in 2013. Coal and liquefied gas (LNG), on the other hand, made up the majority of the remainder.

Nuclear power made up 9% of total energy. Japan shut down its nuclear reactors in 2011 after an earthquake and tsunami caused a meltdown of the Fukushima Nuclear Plant, causing the worst nuclear disaster on the planet since Chernobyl.

Japan has eleven nuclear reactors or one-fifth of the number it had prior to the meltdown. This provides it with almost 11 gigawatts of electricity. Reactor restarts were credited with a 8% drop in LNG imports in the past year, their lowest level in 14 years.

Ishiba, as Prime Minister, must address the issue of rising living costs and imports, which accounted for 11% in Japan's total import bill.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), the largest nuclear power company in the world, is seeking to restart the Kashiwazaki - Kariwa plant. However, it has not received approval from eastern Niigata Prefecture, whose governor wants more assurances about safety.

Muto stated that TEPCO has not addressed all community safety concerns. However, he added it is important to restart nuclear power plants in order to manage electricity prices, balance supply and decarbonise.

Mika Ohbayashi of the Renewable Energy Institute, Tokyo, stated that the House of Representatives elections on October 27th and the dynamics of the LDP ruling party will determine the future of the discussions regarding nuclear energy.

Ohbayashi stated that "in terms of energy, nuclear power can be reduced to zero", referring to a period after the Fukushima catastrophe when Japan shut down all 54 reactors.

(source: Reuters)