Japan to double nuclear power production to meet growing electricity needs

A Japanese government-appointed committee announced on Wednesday its support for a new energy policy aimed at boosting reliance on renewable energy sources and nuclear energy to meet growing electricity needs amid rapid technological developments.

According to the proposed policy, Japan seeks to increase the share of renewable energy to cover 50% of the country’s total electricity needs by 2040, while doubling nuclear energy production, as part of efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.

The Japanese Ministry of Industry presented an updated plan to review the current policy, with the participation of a 16-member committee of representatives from companies, academics, and civil organizations supporting the use of nuclear energy.

The plan includes canceling the nuclear energy phase-out policy adopted after the Fukushima accident in 2011, with a clear target for nuclear energy to provide 20% of Japan’s electricity needs by 2040, compared to 8.5% last year.

These trends come at a time when Japan is facing increasing challenges in providing energy, especially with increasing demand due to technological progress and the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies.