Japan gears up with nuclear power

William Atkins
Thursday, 01 April 2010 23:16

Science - Energy

Under a plan to counter global warming, advance cleaner energies, and promote energy security, Japan is heading toward an expansion of its nuclear power capabilities. With a majority of its energy needs imported from foreign sources, Japan wants to change that instability.

 

Japan's national plan calls for eight new nuclear reactors by the year 2020, which will supply the country with an extra 11.4 gigawatts of electricity.

Currently, Japan has 54 reactors (as of the beginning of 2010) that generate a total capacity of 49 gigawatts'”which is able to supply the country with about 25% of its electrical needs.

Japan has the third largest number of nuclear power reactors in the world. The United States is first (with 104 reactors) and France (with 58) holds the second position, with respect to number of nuclear power reactors per country. (Statistics provided by Green.blorge.com.) However, China is rapidly gaining in the number of its own nuclear power reactors.

The Atomic Energy Commission of Japan (AEC) coordinates and regulates the nation's nuclear power industry. The organization is headquartered in Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo.

The March 31, 2010 Nature News article 'Japan plans nuclear power expansion' (doi: 10.1038/464661a) adds that 'When the draft energy plan is finalized and signed by the Japanese cabinet in June, it will stand as a roadmap for the country's new government, which campaigned on a platform of reducing carbon emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2020 '” a promise that is unpopular with the business community.'

It adds, 'But despite the government's nuclear ambitions, individual reactors will still need approval from local authorities, which is far from certain.'

 

Page two continues with more on Japan's expansion into nuclear power plants.