Delegates at the World Gas Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, believe Japan’s dependence on liquefied natural gas (LNG) will continue for at least another ten years, according to a poll conducted by GL Noble Denton.

According to the poll, 67% of participants said that LNG is likely to continue to make up for a shortfall in nuclear power production in Japan for the next 10 years. 33% of participants disagreed, suggesting that Japan will become less reliant on LNG over the next decade.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimated that Japan was likely to have imported an additional 11 billion cu m of gas last year in an attempt to offset the reduction in nuclear power generation. That figure could soar by a third this year, the IEA reported.

Richard Bailey, GL Noble Denton’s executive vice president for Asia Pacific, said, “When the earthquake and tsunami hit Fukushima Daiichi last year, four reactors were damaged and the remaining 48 were taken offline for mandatory maintenance tests.

“This has severely impacted upon the country’s energy sector, with unprecedented quantities of LNG being imported to offset the shortfall in power production and sustain economic growth.

“As Japan’s nuclear industry shows little sign of revival, and strong anti-nuclear sentiment continues to grip the country, World Gas Conference delegates have indicated that it is unlikely that the country’s reliance on LNG will end in the short to medium-term.”