Atomic power to stay, Kepco tells investors

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http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20110630a1.html

OSAKA — Kansai Electric Power Co. told shareholders Wednesday it will stick with and boost nuclear power, its main source of juice, and alternatives such as solar, wind and thermal energy would be a smaller part of the overall future mix.

Kepco's announcement came as five of the nation's electric utilities held shareholders' meetings the same day, focusing on the safety of atomic energy following the previous day's fiery confrontation between investors and Tokyo Electric Power Co. over its radiation-spewing Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.

Kepco, Tohoku Electric, Hokkaido Electric, Chugoku Electric and Shikoku Electric all conducted their annual meetings.

During the Kepco meeting in Osaka, which was attended by Osaka Mayor Kunio Hiramatsu, several angry exchanges erupted between antinuclear shareholders and Kepco officials.