Japan likely to restart the world's largest nuclear power plant

Japan is likely to bring the world's largest nuclear power plant back online this year, measured by installed capacity. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear complex has an installed capacity of 8212MW and is also the world's fourth-largest power-generating facility.

The plant is operated by TEPCO and can supply up to 16 million households. It was previously shut down after an earthquake struck in 2007, and operations did not resume until 2009. Following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, the plant was shut down again a year later.

However, nuclear power is experiencing a renaissance in Japan, with 13 Japanese reactors back in operation by the end of 2023. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is next in line as Japan restores its nuclear programme.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. plans to restart Unit 7 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in October. It will be the first time TEPCO has operated a nuclear reactor under the safety rules introduced after the 2011 accidents at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

The plan is intended to reduce electricity prices, which are expected to fall by 11% in 2024 compared with 2023. It would also reduce dependence on LNG imports. In this context, the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ)  forecast that Japan's LNG imports would fall to 58.5 million tonnes in fiscal year 2024/25, from an estimated 64 million tonnes in 2023. Finally, the plan is also part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Plans may face local opposition

The restart remains uncertain, however, as it depends on approval from the local prefecture, without which the units cannot be brought online. An earthquake struck near the plant in January, renewing concerns about the plant's safety. Hideyo Hanazumi, the prefectural governor, has yet to announce whether he will approve the restart of Unit 7. Citing extensive road damage caused by the earthquake, Hanazumi raised questions about current evacuation plans for communities near the plant and called for a wide-ranging debate on safety measures.

Despite the government's efforts to restart nuclear power, local prefectures remain cautious in light of the experience of 2011 and could significantly complicate the government's plans.