The governor of Niigata Prefecture is expected to give approval as early as this week for the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, the world’s largest, according to local media. The decision would clear the final hurdle for Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) to bring the plant back online more than a decade after the Fukushima disaster prompted its shutdown. Governor Hideyo Hanazumi is set to announce his approval, potentially on Friday, and will consult the prefectural assembly in early December. If endorsed, this would allow the national government to formally approve the restart of the plant’s two largest units, No. 6 and No. 7, which together can produce 2,710 megawatts of electricity.
Why It Matters
Restarting the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant aligns with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push for nuclear energy to strengthen Japan’s energy security and reduce reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG). Partial restoration of the plant is expected to help lower energy costs and cut Japan’s LNG imports by around 1 million tonnes next year, easing pressure on households and businesses amid high global fuel prices. The restart would also provide a significant financial boost to TEPCO, with annual net profit projected to increase by 100 billion yen ($644 million).
The primary stakeholders include TEPCO, which has been pursuing the restart for years, local communities, who will receive compensation and support from the company, and the Niigata Prefectural Government, responsible for approving the plan. The national government, under Prime Minister Takaichi, has a broader interest in enhancing energy security and reducing import costs. Energy analysts and Japan’s LNG suppliers are also closely watching the move for its market implications.
What’s Next
If approved, TEPCO plans to restart Units 6 and 7 while potentially decommissioning some of the other five units. The prefectural assembly will review the governor’s decision in early December, and TEPCO has already completed safety checks at Unit 6. The move is likely to reduce Japan’s LNG demand forecasts for 2026 further and mark another step in the country’s cautious return to nuclear energy following the Fukushima disaster.
With information from Reuters.
