Japan is targeting sales to the U.S., Europe and at home, where 270 reactors will likely be replaced by 2050 after reaching a 60-year use-by date.
– Edited By Tom Lamar –
Toshiba Corp. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. are among companies working with the government on a $645 million project to develop longer-lasting jumbo-sized reactors by 2030 to replace older models at home and for export.
The government and companies, who also include Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy Ltd., will share the 55 billion yen cost of developing the 1,800-megawatt light-water reactors, according to a draft assessment report submitted to a nuclear power committee in Tokyo on Tuesday. Tokyo Electric Power Corp. operates Japan's biggest reactors, each with 1,356 megawatts capacity.
Japan is targeting sales to the U.S., Europe and at home, where 270 reactors will likely be replaced by 2050 after reaching a 60-year use-by date, according to the report. The country is also hoping to meet growing demand for carbon-free generation in developing countries in Asia and the Middle East.
The new reactors will have 80-year lifespans and take less than 30 months to build, according to the report. Basic design of the reactors will be completed by 2015.