Reset or Restart? The Impact of Fukushima on the Japanese and German Energy Sectors

Even before the meltdowns at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, the global energy sector was in a period of uncertainty caused by a variety of factors: the rise of non-conventional fuels, uncertainty over future demand, the falling price of renewable energy technology and the lack of clarity over any future international climate change regime. This comes at a time when energy stability is necessary to facilitate new investment to replace ageing capacity and to meet predicted increases in global energy demand. The Fukushima accident has had a dramatic impact on the energy policies of two of the world’s largest economies: Germany and Japan. Within months of the accident Germany had revised its energy policy and is now phasing out nuclear power.  Meanwhile in Japan, public and political opposition has led to the temporary closure of virtually all the country’s nuclear power plants, as discussions continue on nuclear power’s role in Japan’s future.  These developments offer us important insights into rapidly-changing energy policies.  Professor Catherine Mitchell and Antony Froggatt will discuss the global importance of these issues and also present an overview of the impacts in other countries. How have governments in Europe, Asia and the Middle East responded to public concerns and revised engineering and economic assessments to abandon or reduce their nuclear ambitions? Why are some governments continuing or even expanding their nuclear plans?

Contributors: Antony Froggatt,Professor Catherine Mitchell, Jun Arima (chair)

Free but booking is essential at www.dajf.org.uk/bookin