⚡ Japan has a monumental plan to reinvent Fukushima as a renewable energy hub

Announcements have been made for Japan's intent to convert the abandoned areas in Fukushima into a renewable energy hub.  The plan involves the construction of solar plants, wind farms, and a power transmission grid that will feed the capital city of Tokyo.

In 2011, a devastating earthquake and tsunami was the cause of a catastrophic meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. To this day, the immediately surrounding areas remain unsafe for habitation, but Japan's plan will make the land a haven for renewable energy.

At an estimated cost of 300 billion yen, or 2.75 billion dollars, the development would include 11 solar power plants and 10 wind power plants on what was once farmland that can no longer be cultivated.  The estimated power generation from these combined plants is estimated to be about 600 megawatts, an equivalent to two-thirds of a nuclear power plant. That amount of energy is sufficient to power about 114,000 average sized homes.

The plan also envisions the construction of an 80km (49 mile) wide grid within Fukushima to connect the generated power with the transmission network of Tokyo Electric Power Co.

The reinvented Fukushima plant's power output is consistent with the prefecture's goal of having renewable energy supply 40% of its demand by 2020, two-thirds by 2030, and 100% by 2040, according to the Japan Times.