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Hokkaido Business Community Pushes for Nuclear Plant Restart to Support Rapidus's Power Needs
Friday, November 28, 2025 at 10:54 PM
The business community in Hokkaido is reportedly raising expectations for the restart of the Tomari nuclear plant to meet the massive power demands of Rapidus's new semiconductor factory, potentially leading to electricity price reductions despite pending legal uncertainties.
Context
Hokkaido's business community and political leaders are strongly backing the restart of the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant to support a projected surge in electricity demand, primarily driven by Rapidus's new advanced semiconductor fab. On November 28, 2025, Hokkaido's governor endorsed the restart, calling it a "realistic option" to ensure a stable, low-carbon power supply for the region's strategic industrial growth. This move is seen as essential to power the next-generation chip manufacturing that is central to Japan's economic security.
The timeline for the plant's restart aligns with Rapidus's production schedule. Hokkaido Electric Power Co. (HEPCO) aims to bring the 912 MW Tomari-3 reactor online as early as 2027, coinciding with Rapidus's target for mass production. The restart is expected to provide significant economic benefits, with HEPCO planning to cut household electricity rates by 11% and industrial rates by 7%. While political and local approvals are gathering momentum, a pending appeal against a 2022 court injunction remains a residual risk to the timeline.
Sources (28)
Yomiuri: Japan's Hokkaido Governor to Approve Restart of ...2 More Local Govts Back Restart of N-Plant in HokkaidohokkaidoNorthern Japan nuclear power plant nears approval for ...Japanese Governor Endorses Restart of Hokkaido Nuclear ...Hokkaido Governor to Support Tomari Nuclear Plant RestartHokkaido Electric Power to Cut Household Electricity Rates ...経済団体が泊原発の早期再稼働要望 - Yahoo!ニュース
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