Japan's Nuclear Revival: Onagawa Reactor Resumes Operations

Tohoku Electric Power has resumed the operation of the 825 MW No.2 reactor at the Onagawa nuclear power plant in northern Japan, marking a significant step since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Japan now has 13 operational reactors. The restart is anticipated to decrease LNG demand and bolster energy needs for AI and semiconductor industries.

On Tuesday, Tohoku Electric Power brought the No.2 reactor at Onagawa's nuclear power plant back online in northern Japan, ending a hiatus that began after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. This marks eastern Japan's first nuclear reactor restart since the catastrophe. The 825 MW reactor shares boiling water technology with Fukushima and was the closest to the earthquake's epicenter in 2011.

With this significant restart, the number of operational nuclear reactors in Japan climbs to 13, collectively producing 12,433 MW. As Chugoku Electric Power prepares its 820-MW reactor in Shimane for a restart, a reduction in the country's LNG demand is anticipated next year.

The increased use of nuclear power is expected to meet rising energy needs driven by data centers and semiconductor facilities, key for advancing AI applications. Japan targets an energy output range of 1.35 to 1.5 trillion kWh by 2050. Tohoku Electric highlights a 570 billion yen investment in safety measures, projecting a 13 billion yen profit boost by fiscal year-end due to lower fuel costs.

(With inputs from agencies.)