26 Apr (NucNet): The low capacity factors of Japan’s nuclear power plants represent “a serious loss” for the nation both environmentally and economically, the chairman of the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF) has said.
Takashi Imai told the JAIF annual conference last week that the average capacity factor of Japan’s 54 commercially operational nuclear units has stood at around 60 percent for the past several years.
Increasing the figure to 85 percent would save another 70 million tonnes of CO2 annually, or the equivalent of five percent of Japan’s total greenhouse gas emissions in fiscal 2008, he said.
Mr Imai blamed the low capacity factors partly on prolonged inspections and evaluations following the Niigata Chuetsu earthquake of July 2007.
Even though Japan’s capacity factors have been 20 to 30 percent lower than in other advanced nuclear countries, Mr Imai said it should be noted that the Sendai-1 pressurised water reactor unit ranked first in the world in terms of capacity factor in 2009. Eight Japanese domestic units were in the top 50.
Mr Imai said an average capacity factor of 85 percent is “a realistic expectation”.
He said the next challenge for operators will be to make the most effective use of existing nuclear power plants through upgrading and improvements to aging reactors.
Mr Imai also noted that nine nuclear power plants are scheduled to be completed by 2019 under Japan’s ‘Nuclear Power Source Plan.’
The 43rd JAIF Annual Conference was held from 20 April to 22 April in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, in the south of Japan. JAIF said there were about 1,000 participants representing 19 countries and regions.
Mr Imai’s speech is online at www.jaif.or.jp/english/aij/focus/2010-04-23keynote.pdf
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
JAIF Head Calls For ‘Essential’ International Cooperation (News in Brief No. 105, 18 August 2009)
Japan’s Tomari-3 Begins Commercial Operation (News in Brief No. 3, 6 January 2010)
