The Japanese Power Sector is entering a new era of opportunity as part of Prime Minister Abe's Abenomics reform program; its legislation to deregulate its power sector by 2020 will give rise to new partnership arrangements spearheading innovation in nuclear, technical capability and international trade.
We are presenting at the 4th Asian Nuclear Power Briefing 2016 in Tokyo, Japan, to discuss how nuclear power can be commercialised sustainably for a new generation of an affordable and reliable supply of low-carbon electricity.
The two-day briefing led by Lady Barbara Judge, CBE, and known for her high profile roles with Emeritus, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, The Energy Institute of UCL, and the TEPCO Nuclear Reform Monitoring Committee, will oversee a range of discussions.
"The 4th Asian Nuclear Power Briefing 2016 is part of a series of nuclear power briefings that are run in Asia, Middle East and Europe. The briefings provide an opportunity for key stakeholders in nuclear power to come together to discuss nuclear power's relevance and its growing importance as part of a country's energy mix," says Lady Judge, CBE.
The briefings aim to bring together key government representatives, agencies, industry and associations to discuss in an unbiased arena the key issues that impact nuclear power development including safety, security, new technology, financing options and regulation.
Lady Judge, CBE, highlights: "As Chairman of the briefings in Japan, I hope to encourage continued discussion and lively debate on the subject as well as creating networking opportunities for the participants."
Masahiko Yoshimura, Nuclear Lead for Lloyd's Register Energy in Japan and who is hosting a debate at the briefing on ‘Ensuring Quality and Safety in a Globalised Nuclear Market', says: "Japan has now re-started its third nuclear reactor. More nuclear-powered electricity generation will help reduce Japan's fuel import bill and lead to lower electricity rates for consumers. The reactor restart programme will also help Japan reach its goal of having nuclear power make up 20-22% of its energy needs by Y2030."
It is estimated that 33 nuclear reactors will need to be restarted to meet this target, and that should help to contribute to meeting Japan's UN decarbonisation goals.
As part of the United Nations COP 21 process, Japan has submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution ("INDC") committing to decarbonize its Y2030 economy by 25%. As far as the Japanese power sector is concerned and as part of Prime Minister Abe's Abenomics reform program, Japan has also legislated to deregulate its power sector by Y2020 the year in which Japan will host the 2020 Olympics.
King Lee, Head of Nuclear Development for Lloyd's Register Energy, talks on the increasing nuclear renaissance as both governments and power generation companies look to nuclear as a viable low carbon option in the energy mix: "While the nuclear industry remains weighted towards domestic markets, leading vendors are, for the most part, internationally diversified in terms of their corporate make-up and their supplier base. The localisation and growth in manufacturing, joint ventures and international procurement initiatives are leading to an increased and highly global nuclear supply chain."
In the UK for example, it is possible that four separate nuclear power plant designs from France, China and two from Japan will be built over the coming decade.
Lee describes how his own team's technical expertise is helping to ensure quality and safety in a globalised nuclear market:
"Our work in nuclear and recent contract success the world over, demonstrates real momentum in our aim to help nuclear operators and regulators achieve high standards of nuclear safety and performance as countries focus on their long-term sustainable power generation capabilities and decarbonisation targets."
We are contracted as the Independent Third-Party Inspection Authority (ITPIA) on new build projects in UK and are involved in safety assessment to the nuclear industry in Sweden. Our nuclear expertise was appointed by the United Arab Emirates' Regulatory Authority (FANR) to provide technical support during construction of the nuclear power plant, and also with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., (KHNP) in Korea to provide independent verification on the quality of their documentation for safety equipment used in their operating nuclear facilities.
Lee believes there is substantial opportunity to further efforts in developing safe, clean and sustainable power generation for the future: "Organisations with global capabilities and experience are required to enhance safety and quality by sharing good international practices. The two-day briefing led by Lady Barbara Judge, CBE, is a good example of how we can collectively raise awareness of safety, risk and technical issues with stakeholders that seek to innovate and improve the use of civil nuclear technology."
We are contributing to this process by helping nuclear operators provide a level of confidence to industry through the independent verification and validation of safety processes, and assessment of plant and equipment.
"And…," emphasises Lee, "our inspection services for the latest Horizon/Hitachi ABWR in UK, and supporting manufacturing industry in Japan is a clear example of how we can deliver confidence in to the global nuclear supply chain. We welcome the opportunity to bring this expertise forward in to the 4th Asian Nuclear Power Briefing 2016."
The 4th Asian Nuclear Power Briefing will be attended by Mr Hirohide Hirai, Director General of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan delivering the Opening Keynote Address, and Mr Naomi Hirose, President of TEPCO will present a Keynote Address.
For media enquiries contact
Jason Knights
Global Communications Manager
Lloyd's Register Energy
T +44 (0)20 7423 1741
M +44 (0)78 2728 2569
E jason.knights@lr.org
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