Hitachi Eyes Small Nuclear Reactors in Japan as Power Costs Rise

Hitachi eyes small nuclear reactors in Japan as power costs rise

Small modular reactors, having capacity of 300 megawatts or less, are increasingly seen as a way to decarbonize energy.

Japan’s energy crisis is strengthening the case for new nuclear capacity

Hitachi’s interest in developing small modular reactors in Japan reflects how the energy crisis is changing the commercial and political case for nuclear power. Expensive imported fuels have made electricity security more urgent for households, manufacturers and policymakers. Nuclear generation offers a way to reduce exposure to recurring fossil-fuel purchases while supplying low-carbon electricity. But exploring domestic SMR deployment remains…