Japan’s nuclear power regulator is lifting an operational ban imposed on Tokyo Electric Power’s ( 9501.T ) Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant two years ago, paving the way for a local permit to restart.

Tepco wanted to bring the world’s largest nuclear power plant into operation to cut operating costs, but restarting operations still needs permission from the local governments of Niigata Prefecture, Kashiwazaki City and Kariwa Village, where it is located.

When that might happen is unknown.

With a capacity of 8,212 megawatts (MW), the plant was decommissioned in 2012 after the Fukushima disaster a year earlier, leading to the shutdown of all nuclear power plants in Japan at the time.

In 2021, the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) banned Tepco from operating Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, its only operating nuclear power plant, for safety violations, including failure to protect nuclear materials and violations after it was revealed that an unauthorized staff member had accessed sensitive areas of the plant.

Citing improvements in its safety management system, the NRA on Wednesday lifted an order that prevented Tepco from bringing new uranium fuel to the plant or loading fuel rods into its reactors, effectively blocking a restart.

Following the ruling, Tepco said it would continue its efforts to regain the trust of the local community and society at large, while Japan’s chief cabinet secretary said the government would do all it could to help the process.

“The government will seek the cooperation of Niigata Prefecture and local communities, emphasizing safety,” said Yoshimasa Hayashi, the government’s top spokesman.

Resource-poor Japan is seeking to operate more nuclear plants in order to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The Institute of Energy Economics Japan (IEEJ) forecast last week that Japan’s LNG imports would fall to 58.5 million metric tons in the 2024/25 fiscal year from an estimated 64 million tons this year. The drop affects the expected restart of a few more nuclear reactors and an increase in renewables.

Tepco shares had soared after the NRA said earlier this month it would consider lifting the ban following an on-site inspection and a meeting with the company’s chairman.