Japan predicted to have restarted 19 nuclear reactors by March 2018

It will generate almost 120TWh/year.

According to the Institute of Energy Economics of Japan (IEEJ), Japan is likely to restart seven nuclear reactors by the end of March 2017 and a further 12 reactors by the end of March 2018, generating nearly 120 TWh/year of nuclear power, compared to 288 TWh in the 2010-2011 year. Enerdata said this would enable Japan to cut its fossil fuel imports by Yen 4,700bn (US$45bn) and energy-related CO2 emissions to 1.1 GtCO2 (from 1.2 Gt in 2013).

In the IEEJ's high-case scenario, up to 25 units could be restarted by the end of March 2018, for a total power generation of 151 TWh/year. The low-case scenario sees only 12 reactors restarted, generating 39 TWh/year.

So far, four Japanese reactors, namely Sendai-1 and 2 and Takahama-3 and 4, have been restarted under the new safety regulations. However, a district court issued an injunction that forced Takahama 3 and 4 to shut down in March 2016.