After Fukushima, Japan was required to perform computer-stimulated stress tests to confirm the nuclear plants could continue working safely in the event of a natural disaster.
There is now much uncertainty about whether nuclear power will play a role in the future of Japan’s energy generation.
From 1987 to 2011, nuclear generation accounted for an average 30% of Japan’s total generation – dropping to just 2% today.
According to the US Energy Information Agency, Japan has been consuming more natural gas and petroleum to make up for the shortfall.
Japan has been attempting to source LNG for the country’s growing energy needs with new contract being signed with the United Stated and Australia.
Its use of LNG set a record in January 2012, with the country steaming through 9 billion cubic feet per day, about 2 billion cubic feet more than the corresponding period in 2011.
With reactors regularly shut-down, stress tests were performed and submitted to the Japanese Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency for review and acceptance.
In May, the last of Japan’s 54 nuclear reactors were shut down for maintenance.
Only two reactors have restarted since the accident and are scheduled for outage later this year.
The Japanese government has since established the Nuclear Regulation Authority and put in place regulations to ensure safe operation of nuclear power stations.
The economic effects of the regulations is unclear, however, it is estimated to exceed $US11 billion ($A10.6 billion) and Japan’s reliance on nuclear power as a component of future energy mix is unclear.
