Japan to replace nuclear with coal

• 11 years ago (2013-04-28)
• Junior Isles

Asia 848 Nuclear 640

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Japan’s new government will look to a new generation of coal-fired plants to solve its continuing power woes post-Fukushima. The environmental assessment and approval period for new coal-fired plants is to be shortened from four years to one, as Japan looks for a medium-term replacement for its idled nuclear industry.

Japanese media reports indicate surging energy supply bills have forced the government into action.

The restart of older oil-fired power plants to replace nuclear capacity has pushed up energy bills significantly in Japan, since they rely heavily on the fluctuating price of oil imports.

The Abe government is also considering the closure of much of the remaining nuclear capacity over the coming years, leaving coal as the cheapest energy source available.

Japan’s commitment to cut carbon emissions by 25 per cent from their 1990 level by 2020 looks to be revised down before October, Japanese newspapers indicate.

The move to speed up assessments coincides with Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO)’s call for tenders for the construction of new coal-fired power stations with 2600 MW of capacity, with an eye to operationally replacing the closed nuclear by the end of the decade.

TEPCO, the former Fukushima operator, has added an estimated 2.6 GW of coal-fired generation capacity from two new plants which began operations this month. Two coal-fired plants operated by Tohoku Electric Power Co have also been restarted after repairs.

These plants are expected to consume about 11.5 million tonnes of coal in a full year of operation.

Only two of Japan’s 50 nuclear reactors are currently in operation, after all were closed for reviews of operating and safety procedures.