Kansai Electric Power Co. will restart geological surveys for potential new reactor construction at its Mihama nuclear facility, marking Japan’s first concrete step toward building new atomic capacity since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
The surveys would focus on topography, geology and other studies and would also include communications with local residents, the Osaka-based utility announced Tuesday. The company initially planned these assessments in 2010 but suspended them following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered the Fukushima accident.
The move aligns with Japan’s policy shift toward maximizing nuclear power usage. According to the Plan, the share of nuclear in the power mix should rise from 8.5% in fiscal year (FY) 2023 to about 20% in 2040, as outlined in the government’s Seventh Strategic Energy Plan approved in February.
Kansai Electric is considering the SRZ-1200 advanced light water reactor for the plant, according to company executives. This next-generation design would replace aging infrastructure at Mihama, where two reactors are scheduled for decommissioning and the remaining Unit 3 will reach 50 years of operation next year.
The announcement comes as Japan grapples with rising electricity demand driven by semiconductor manufacturing and AI data centers. Before the accident, 54 commercial nuclear reactors were operating in Japan, and nuclear power accounted for approximately 30% of the country’s electricity generation. Today, only 14 reactors have restarted operations.
Despite government backing, the project faces significant hurdles. Public opposition to nuclear power remains strong, and previous reactor restart efforts have encountered lengthy delays due to safety reviews and local resistance. Whether construction proceeds will depend on factors including regulatory approval, local community support, and broader business conditions.
The surveys represent a symbolic milestone for Japan’s nuclear industry, which has struggled to rebuild public confidence after Fukushima displaced 150,000 residents and contaminated large areas. Success at Mihama could set precedents for reactor replacements elsewhere as Japan seeks to balance energy security with carbon reduction goals.
