Solar power will overtake nuclear power as the cheapest source of energy for Japan in 2030 due to the ballooning costs of nuclear safety measures following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, a government estimate showed for the first time Monday.

At a meeting of an expert panel, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry estimated the cost of generating nuclear power will rise about 10% from its previous estimate in 2015, while the cost of solar power will drop as it becomes more widespread due to decarbonization efforts.

METI has traditionally emphasized the low cost of power generation as an advantage of nuclear power, but the government is aiming to make renewable energy the country's main energy source as part of its plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 — a goal that will be reflected in the basic energy plan set to be revised this summer.