Japan’s Nuclear Capacity Factor Stood at 28.0％ in 2023

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According to data gathered by Atoms in Japan (AIJ) from all electric power companies across the country, the average capacity factor for all nuclear power plants (NPPs) nationwide in 2023 stood at 28.0 percent (9.3 points higher than in the previous year). Total nuclear generated electricity by all companies was 81.08TWh (up 49.6% from the previous year), the highest level in recent years.

In 2023, the Takahama-1 and -2, owned and operated by the Kansai Electric Power Co. (Kansai EP), went beyond 40 years of operation, joining the company’s Mihama-3. The total number of restarted NPPs―all pressurized water reactors (PWRs)―was brought to 12, representing a generating capacity of 11,608MW.

In 2022, partly because some NPPs were suspended in association with completion of facilities for responding to specific severe accidents, termed “specific safety facilities (anti-terrorism facilities),” operating statistics for the year were down.

In 2023, specific safety facilities went into service at Kansai EP’s Takahama-1 and -2, and at the Genkai-4, owned and operated by the Kyushu Electric Power Co., which had already restarted. At Kansai EP, all seven existing NPPs were in operation, contributing to the improved capacity factor.