Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Japan’s northeastern prefecture of Fukushima is recovering awesomely from the nuclear disaster that struck in 2011.
The disaster, which was triggered by an earthquake, wreaked havoc on the energy hub and created toxic conditions in the wider area. But, rather than rebuild these nuclear energy systems, Fukushima is transforming itself into a renewable energy hub.
Currently, a plan is underway to develop 11 solar power plants and 10 wind power plants in the prefecture, on farmlands that cannot be cultivated anymore and on mountainous areas from where population outflows continue. The power generation available is estimated to be about 600 megawatts, or equivalent to two-thirds of a nuclear power plant, with the produced electricity to be sent to the Tokyo metropolitan area.
The plan also envisions the construction of an 80-km wide grid within Fukushima to connect the generated power with the power transmission network of Tokyo Electric Power Co.
