Part 7/10:
After the 2011 nuclear crisis, Japan has increased its focus on renewable energy sources, including geothermal power. In 2015, the town of Onen in Suio Onsen began geothermal power generation, marking a significant step in integrating geothermal resources into Japan’s energy mix.
Despite these advancements, geothermal development in Japan is not without controversy. Operators of traditional onsen are resistant to large-scale geothermal projects, arguing that tapping into underground water sources may disrupt delicate thermal balances, affecting both the hot springs and local ecosystems. There remains scientific debate over whether geothermal extraction significantly impacts these subterranean sources, but the concern persists, complicating efforts to expand geothermal power.