End Japan’s excessive reliance on thermal power generation
HOW WILL it be possible to balance a stable electrical power system with curbing global warming? It is hoped that debates on revising energy policies will be accelerated.
The Japan Business Federation ( Keidanren) has compiled its proposals for Japan’s energy policy, pointing out that the electricity supply grid is in a critical situation, and calling for promoting the reactivation of nuclear power plants and building new or additional reactors.
Even now, eight years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan’s dependence on thermal power generation using such fuels as coal and natural gas still remains at more than 80 per cent.
Thermal power generation, which emits large amounts of greenhouse gases, has been strongly criticised internationally. Moves to postpone investment and loans and cancel construction of coalfired thermal power plants have been spreading.
Energy sources with lower environmental burdens are needed in place of coal. Although it is an urgent task to deal with the issue, the debates have not progressed. It is understandable that Keidanren has such a sense of urgency.
Primarily, making use of nuclear power continuously should be clarified. Nuclear power has excellent power generation efficiency and does not produce carbon dioxide. It is effective for balancing stable electricity supply and environmental measures.
The government aims to activate about 30 reactors in 2030, but currently there are only nine reactors in operation. Moves by the government, which should support nuclear energy, are dull. As things stand, it is impossible to get out of a vicious cycle in which technologies and human resources related to nuclear power continue to dwindle.
The government must carefully explain to the people that it is necessary to promote the reactivation of nuclear reactors whose safety has been confirmed. Building new or additional reactors and rebuilding old ones, as called for by Keidanren, are also important subjects to be considered. In its basic energy plan last year, the government avoided mentioning building new or additional reactors. Since the government positions nuclear power as a baseload electrical power source, it should specify a policy to build new or additional reactors. Renewable energy also should be increased as much as possible. However, the output power of renewable energy is unstable, mainly due to weather conditions, and the cost of renewable energy is high. — WPBloomberg