Japanese Government approves new nuclear energy goals

• 5 years ago (2018-07-04)
• David Flin

Asia 847 Nuclear 639

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The Japanese Government has approved an energy plan setting ambitious targets for nuclear energy use and sustains a programme for spent-fuel recycling. The energy plan, announced on 3 July, calls for further development of renewable energy, but stipulates that nuclear energy should account for 20-22 per cent of Japan’s power generation by fiscal 2030. It sets a 22-24 per cent target for renewable energy, with the remainder coming from fossil fuels in line with goals set in 2015. The plan urges further progress in meeting pledges to reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent from 2013 levels by fiscal 2050.

The plan noted for the first time the need to draw down the plutonium stockpile, because of international security concerns. The stockpile results from technical challenges in achieving fuel recycling and from slow restarts of reactors to burn it. Japan has repeatedly stated its commitment to transparency and appropriate handling of the plutonium, but in recent years, the USA in particular has raised concerns, urging Japan to suspend the planned launch of its key reprocessing plant in northern Japan’s Rokkasho. This is in the final stages of safety approvals.