Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) has confirmed it has no plans to build new nuclear power plants in Japan, but is instead focused on restarting idled reactors, particularly at the world’s largest nuclear power station at Kashiwazaki Kariwa and at Higashi Dori.

Since the 2011 shutdown of 54 reactors following the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami, Japan’s energy mix has relied on fossil fuel imports for about 90% of its energy. Fourteen reactors have been returned to service since 2011, producing less than 10% of national electricity, compared to almost 30% from a fleet of 54 units before 2011.

Tepco told NucNet that new-build projects are not on the company’s radar. Instead Tepco is directing resources towards reactivating reactors with existing permissions, a response to national policy shifts and rising electricity demand.