Japan's Nuclear Power Regulator Lifts Ban on Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Plant, Resumption Awaits Local Consent

Japan's nuclear power regulator has lifted the operational ban on Tokyo Electric Power's (Tepco) Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the world's largest atomic power plant with a capacity of 8,212 megawatts. The plant has been offline since 2012, following the Fukushima disaster. Tepco is keen to restart the plant to reduce operating costs, but local consent from Niigata prefecture, Kashiwazaki city, and Kariwa village, where the plant is located, is still pending.

In 2021, the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) imposed an operational ban on Tepco due to safety breaches, including failures to protect nuclear materials and unauthorized access to sensitive areas by staff. The NRA lifted a corrective action order on Wednesday, citing improvements in the safety management system. This order had prevented Tepco from transporting new uranium fuel and loading fuel rods into the reactors.

While Tepco expressed its commitment to regaining trust, the resumption still depends on gaining local approval. The local governments of Niigata prefecture, Kashiwazaki city, and Kariwa village will need to provide consent for the restart, and the timing of this decision remains uncertain.

Japan aims to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels by bringing more nuclear power plants online. The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) forecasts a decline in LNG imports, anticipating restarts of nuclear reactors and an increase in renewable energy sources. The Japanese government has pledged to seek understanding and cooperation from local communities, emphasizing a "safety-first" approach.

Shares in Tepco surged after the NRA signaled its consideration of lifting the operational ban following on-site inspections and meetings with the company's president earlier this month. The resumption of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant remains a crucial step in Japan's efforts to enhance its energy mix.