nuclear-news

Japan is working on life without nuclear power

 a new environment ministry panel’s assertion that Japan can still reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 from 1990 levels without nuclear, through energy saving and the quicker adoption of renewables, which it hopes will account for between 25% and 35% of total power generation by 2030.

Anxious Japan prepares for life without nuclear power Japan has 54 nuclear reactors, but as of Saturday, not one of them will be in operation – how will the country cope? Guardian UK Justin McCurry in Tokyo, 3 May 12 “………..Critics of the nuclear shutdown have also highlighted the impact more fossil fuel power generation will have on Japan’s climate change commitments. Even big investors in renewables, such as the Softbank chief executive Masayoshi Son, concede it will take time for them to have any real impact on the country’s energy mix.

They will be buoyed by a new environment ministry panel’s assertion that Japan can still reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 from 1990 levels without nuclear, through energy saving and the quicker adoption of renewables, which it hopes will account for between 25% and 35% of total power generation by 2030.

“If Japan has the motivation, it can do this, too,” said Sei Kato,
deputy director of the environment ministry’s low carbon society
promotion office. “We have the technological know-how.”

Short-term risks aside, environmental groups say Saturday’s shutdown
is an unprecedented opportunity for Japan to wean itself off nuclear
power.

“This is a turning point for Japan, and a huge opportunity for it to
move towards the sustainable energy future its people demand,”
Greenpeace said in its advanced energy revolution report. “With an
abundance of renewable energy resources and top-class technology,
Japan can easily become a renewable energy leader, while
simultaneously ending its reliance on risky and expensive nuclear
technology.”

On Tuesday, office workers made their contribution with the start, one
month earlier than usual, of the annual “cool biz” drive to reduce
energy use. But swapping suits and ties for short-sleeved shirts, and
turning down air conditioners will be easy for as long as Japan enjoys
mild spring temperatures. The biggest test of their post-Fukushima
resolve has yet to come.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/may/03/japan-nuclear-power-closure?newsfeed=true

May 5, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general