The stillness of a bitterly cold afternoon in rural Fukushima, Japan, is broken by the rhythmic swish of wind turbine blades. These 50-meter-long blades adjust to the slightest shifts in the dependable westerly winds, a constant presence day and night. From a vantage point on a mountain ridge, the turbines of the Abukuma windfarm stretch for miles, a testament to Japan’s evolving energy strategy.
In the distance, the outlines of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant loom, a stark reminder of the 2011 disaster that led to a triple meltdown following a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and a devastating tsunami. Nearly 15 years later, the plant is still being decommissioned at a cost of $35 billion. Yet, nearby, the Abukuma windfarm offers a vision of a different energy future for the region.
Japan’s Strategic Energy Shift
Japan’s government has recently unveiled a strategic energy plan aimed at achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This plan controversially includes a “maximisation” of nuclear power, a pivot from previous efforts to reduce reliance on nuclear energy post-Fukushima. The strategy anticipates nuclear power contributing about 20% of total energy output by 2040, with 14 reactors already restarted and projections for 30 to be operational by then.
The shift comes after the closure of numerous reactors forced Japan to become heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels. In 2022, Japan was the world’s second-largest importer of liquefied natural gas and the third-largest importer of coal. The new energy plan, however, envisions a significant increase in the share of renewable energy, aiming for 40% to 50% by 2040, up from just under a third in 2023.
Fukushima’s Renewable Vision
Fukushima, once synonymous with nuclear disaster, is now positioning itself as a leader in renewable energy. The prefecture’s Renewable Energy Promotion Vision sets ambitious targets: 100% renewable energy by 2040, with an interim goal of 70% by 2030. “Everyone in the prefecture is determined to reach the target,” says Takayuki Hirano of Fukushima Fukko Furyoku, a joint venture led by Sumitomo Corporation. “There are many subsidies available for solar, wind, and other renewables. I think we’re going to make it happen.”
Despite the lingering negative memories of nuclear power, some of the 160,000 people evacuated after the disaster have returned home, although radiation levels remain too high in certain areas. In contrast, power from the Abukuma turbines is consumed locally, supporting projects like a mackerel aquaculture and a town hall. “It is about local production for local consumption,” Hirano explains.
Navigating Global Energy Politics
As the world’s fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, Japan has made strides in reducing its carbon footprint. Emissions fell by 4% to a record low in the year ending March 2024, driven by reduced energy consumption and increased use of renewables. However, the post-Fukushima shutdown of reactors and the challenges of restarting them have kept Japan reliant on fossil fuels, drawing criticism at international forums like Cop30.
“Japan again received the Fossil of the Day award from the Climate Action Network for its slow progress in decarbonizing,” the network stated, criticizing Japan’s promotion of carbon capture and storage as inadequate solutions.
Japan’s environment minister, Hirotaka Ishihara, faced backlash for not supporting a proposed roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels at the summit in Belem. “Ishihara has sent the wrong signal,” said Masayoshi Iyoda of 350.org, urging Japan to embrace renewable energy as the path to energy self-sufficiency.
Geothermal Energy: A Complementary Force
Beyond wind and solar, geothermal energy is also playing a role in Fukushima’s energy transformation. In the hot spring resort of Tsuchiyu Onsen, geothermal energy is harnessed to power local facilities. Tomio Sakuma, the renewable energy area manager for Genki Up Tsuchiyu, describes the process as a natural, linear one, with steam from deep underground driving turbines before being used in local bathhouses.
“The good thing about this project is that we don’t recycle water as an afterthought,” Sakuma says. “It’s a more natural process.”
The geothermal plant generates enough electricity to power about 800 homes and supports the local economy, including a growing number of foreign tourists visiting new ryokan inns funded by feed-in tariff sales.
Looking Ahead: A Renewable Future
Fukushima is on track to achieve its renewable energy goals, with renewables already accounting for nearly 60% of the prefecture’s power generation. This transformation is a stark contrast to the 23% share at the time of the 2011 disaster, highlighting the region’s resilience and commitment to a sustainable energy future.
As Japan navigates its energy transition, the balance between nuclear maximization and renewable energy expansion will be critical. The country’s approach will not only shape its domestic energy landscape but also influence global climate efforts and partnerships.
Hirano remains optimistic, stating, “Our way of helping Fukushima recover is so that one day people around the world will automatically associate it with renewable energy and not nuclear power.”
