Japan’s New Nuclear Energy Policy : What to know

Japan’s New Nuclear Energy Policy : What to know

In response to concerns about stable power supply due to Russia invasion of Ukraine, global fuel shortage and to reduce carbon emission, Japan has adopted a New Nuclear Energy Policy to promote increased used of nuclear energy.

What is Japan’s New Policy on Nuclear Energy ?

Under its new policy, Japan intends to maximise the use of existing reactors by restarting as many as possible and extending the operation life time of older ones beyond the current 60 years period.

The government has also announced plans to develop advance reactors to replace decommissioned ones.

The policy aims to drive the development of “next generation nuclear reactors” with safer features to replace approximately 20 reactors which are scheduled for decommissioning.

At present, less than 7% of Japan’s energy supply comes from Nuclear Energy, and to meet the goal of increasing its share to 20-22% by 2030, around 27 reactors will be needed, compared to the current 10.

Before the Fukushima Plant accident in March 2011 which was the second-worst nuclear disaster in the history of nuclear power generation, Japan’s 54 reactors generated approximately 30% of country’s electricity.

India’s Nuclear Energy Outlook

In India, Nuclear energy is the fifth largest source of energy after coal, gas, hydroelectricity, and wind power, with 22 nuclear reactors in 8 nuclear power plants, with a total installed capacity of 7380 MW^(Source). Eight nuclear plants are :

• Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, Tamil Nadu
• Rajasthan Atomic Power Station, Rajasthan
• Tarapur Atomic Power Station, Maharashtra
• Narora Atomic Power Station, Uttar Pradesh
• Kakrapur Atomic Power Station, Maharshtra
• Madras Atomic Power Station, Tamil Nadu
• Kaiga Generation Station, Karnataka

Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), operates under Department of Atomic Energy (DEA), is responsible for designing, constructing, commissioning and operating nuclear power plants in the country.

Importance of nuclear energy for India

Thorium availability : Thorium which is considered to be the nuclear fuel of the future, with its abundance availability India has the potential to become world’s first fossil fuel free nation.

Reduce import bill : It can help to reduce billions of dollars of import bill of petrol and coal.

A stable and reliable source of energy : Solar and wind power are dependent excessively on weather and sun conditions. But, nuclear power provides relatively clean and reliable high density-resource of energy.