Japan’s largest nuclear power plant officially restarts! China’s largest single-unit capacity gas-fired power plant fully operational
（2026/1/19—2026/1/25）
Author: Shu-Xin Zhang
International Energy News
1. Japan’s largest nuclear power plant officially restarts!
Japan’s largest nuclear power plant—Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant Unit 6—was restarted on the evening of the 21st local time. This marks the first restart of a nuclear power plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident.
Spanning Kashiwazaki City and Kariwa Village in Niigata Prefecture, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant is Japan’s largest nuclear power station, with a total installed capacity of approximately 8.212 million kilowatts. Although a survey showed mixed opinions among local residents regarding the restart, the Niigata Prefectural government gave the green light for the restart last year. Following the Fukushima nuclear accident, all nuclear reactors in Japan were once suspended. According to data from Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority as of January 14, 2026, 13 reactors across 7 nuclear power plants in Japan have resumed operation.
2. U.S. liquefied natural gas exports hit a record high in 2025, reaching 111 Million Tons
Data shows that the United States is set to become the first country with annual liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports exceeding 100 million tons in 2025. In 2024, the U.S. accounted for approximately one-quarter of global LNG exports, reaching 111 million tons—about 20 million tons more than Qatar. As the U.S. replaces Russian natural gas this winter, its exports primarily flow to Europe. In December of last year, Turkey’s LNG imports from the U.S. “exceeded the entire Asian market.” 2026 is likely to be another fruitful year for U.S. LNG exports, as several smaller projects accelerate, potentially increasing capacity by approximately 20 million tons compared to the previous year.
In 2024, natural gas accounted for 38% of the total U.S. energy production and has been the largest energy source since 2011. The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects that the new natural gas export capacity in North America may more than double by 2029, with the majority coming from the United States. Natural gas emits about half as much carbon dioxide as coal, and as natural gas consumption grows and replaces coal, related emissions have decreased.
3. U.S. energy information administration predicts strongest four-year growth in U.S. electricity demand since 2000
Recently, the U.S. Energy Information Administration released its “Short-Term Energy Outlook” report, predicting that U.S. electricity demand will experience the strongest four-year growth since 2005-2007, driven by factors such as data centers.
The report indicates that U.S. electricity demand is expected to grow by 1% in 2026 and 3% in 2027, with the increase mainly coming from commercial and industrial sectors, particularly in the Southwest and Northeast regions. Commercial electricity consumption grew by 2.4% in 2025 and is projected to increase by 2.4% and 4.3% in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Industrial electricity consumption is expected to grow by 1.6% to 3.4% during the same period. Energy-intensive industries such as oil and gas extraction, refining, and liquefied natural gas production will also see continued growth in electricity consumption, which is expected to drive regional employment and local economies. The report also notes that, assuming regulatory conditions remain reasonable, the U.S. energy supply can support this growth trend. Integrating various stable energy sources, including natural gas, coal, and nuclear power, will help balance electricity supply and demand.
Domestic energy news
1. China’s largest single-unit capacity gas-fired power plant fully operational
On January 20, the Anji Power Plant in Zhejiang was officially put into full operation. As China’s largest and most efficient gas-fired power plant in terms of single-unit capacity, it will provide stable support for the peak electricity demand in East China during the winter.
The two units of the Anji Power Plant have a total installed capacity of 1,686 megawatts, with a design efficiency as high as 64.15%. As a clean power source with flexible regulation capabilities, the plant can achieve rapid start-up and shutdown within 90 minutes and adjust output accordingly, effectively supporting grid stability and promoting the efficient integration of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Relevant personnel stated that the project utilizes multiple advanced combustion and control technologies, with carbon emission intensity approximately 40% of that of million-kilowatt coal-fired units. It is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 1.86 million tons annually. Currently, the two units of the Anji Power Plant are operating stably, with an annual maximum power generation capacity of up to 7 billion kilowatt-hours, which can meet the annual electricity needs of 6 million residents.
2. World’s first dual-reactor coupling nuclear energy comprehensive utilization project commences construction
On January 16, the nuclear island of Unit 1 of the CNNC Jiangsu Xuwai Nuclear Heating and Power Plant began concrete pouring, marking the entry of the world’s first large-scale nuclear and petrochemical coupling project into the main construction phase. As China’s first nuclear power unit to commence construction in the first year of the “15th Five-Year Plan,” this project officially opens a new chapter in China’s nuclear energy transition from primarily power generation to diversified supply.
The project adopts China’s independently developed third-generation nuclear power technology, Hualong One, coupled with the fourth-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactor technology. It is the world’s first project to combine pressurized water reactors with high-temperature gas-cooled reactors and is constructed under an integrated nuclear power EPC model. The first phase plans to build two Hualong One units and one high-temperature gas-cooled reactor unit. Upon completion, it will supply 32.5 million tons of industrial steam annually, generate over 11.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity at maximum capacity, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 19.6 million tons per year. This project will provide high-quality, low-carbon energy for the Lianyungang Petrochemical Base and the Yangtze River Delta region, offering a “Chinese solution” for the green transformation of global energy-intensive industries.
3. National bureau of statistics: natural gas production increased by 6.2% year-on-year in 2025
On January 19, the National Bureau of Statistics released energy production data for 2025. Throughout the year, natural gas output from industrial enterprises above designated size reached 261.9 billion cubic meters, a year-on-year increase of 6.2%; raw coal output was 4.83 billion tons, up 1.2%; crude oil output reached 216.05 million tons, up 1.5%; crude oil processing volume was 737.59 million tons, up 4.1%; and power generation was 9.7159 trillion kilowatt-hours, up 2.2%.
In December alone, natural gas production maintained steady growth, with output from industrial enterprises above designated size reaching 23 billion cubic meters, a year-on-year increase of 5.1%. Raw coal and crude oil output experienced slight declines, with raw coal output at 440 million tons, down 1.0% year-on-year, and crude oil output at 17.8 million tons, down 0.6% year-on-year. Crude oil processing accelerated, with processing volume reaching 62.46 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 5.0%.
In terms of power production, electricity generation from industrial enterprises above designated size in December was 858.6 billion kilowatt-hours, a slight year-on-year increase of 0.1%. From the perspective of the energy structure, thermal power generation decreased by 3.2% year-on-year, with the decline narrowing. Clean energy continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace, with hydropower up 4.1%, nuclear power up 3.1%, wind power up 8.9%, and solar power up 18.2%.
(Main news sources: CCTVNEWS APP, Xinhua New Media, International Energy Network, China Energy Network, National Energy Administration)
