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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Financial Post or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Japan forecasts nuclear energy to be its cheapest baseload power source by 2040, costing an estimated ¥12.5 ($0.08) per kilowatt-hour
• This reflects the government’s push to restart idle reactors and reduce reliance on expensive fossil fuels
• While renewables like solar are cheaper per unit, nuclear remains cost-competitive when accounting for system-wide expenses like battery storage
🔭 The context: Japan’s revised energy strategy prioritizes nuclear power as part of its long-term decarbonization efforts
• The country has faced rising fossil fuel prices and is exploring technologies like hydrogen co-firing and carbon capture alongside LNG to diversify its energy mix
• Nuclear plants are expected to operate at 70% capacity for up to 40 years, maximizing cost efficiency
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Nuclear power’s low emissions offer a pathway for Japan to meet its climate goals while stabilizing its energy supply
• However, balancing nuclear expansion with renewable deployment and addressing waste and safety concerns will be critical for a sustainable energy transition
⏭️ What's next: Japan is revising its energy targets for beyond 2030, which will solidify the role of nuclear in its power mix
• Investments in renewables, advanced nuclear technology, and complementary systems like carbon capture and storage are expected to shape the country’s path toward net-zero emissions
💬 One quote: "The world’s massive growth in renewables is driven by economics, but nuclear remains pivotal for baseload power," according to the trade ministry’s analysis
📈 One stat: Nuclear power is forecast to cost ¥12.5 ($0.08) per kWh by 2040, cheaper than LNG with carbon capture or hydrogen co-firing
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