Japan strengthens its renewable energy target for the 2030 energy mix

TOKYO, July 21 (Reuters) – Japan to increase its renewable energy target in the country’s electricity mix for 2030 as it strives to cut emissions to meet commitments under international agreements on change climate, according to a draft of its latest energy policy.

The country’s revised Core Energy Strategy leaves its target for nuclear power unchanged, although the country struggled to restore industry to its former central role after the Fukushima disaster in 2011.

The Ministry of Industry’s draft policy released on Wednesday says renewables are expected to account for 36-38% of electricity supply in 2030, double the level of 18% in the fiscal year ended March 2020 electricity in 2030.

The use of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, will be reduced to 19% from 26% in the new plan.

Gas, which arrives in Japan as imported liquefied natural gas, will make up most of the remainder of the fossil fuel share of the target energy mix, which has been set at 41%, from 56%.

Japan’s nuclear target remained unchanged at 20-22%. New fuels like hydrogen and ammonia will account for around 1% of the electricity mix in 2030, according to the project.

As the urgency to tackle climate change increases, the revised energy plan to 2030 is “an ambitious plan”, instead of an “ideal vision” as in the past, a ministry official said. Industry.

The change comes after Japan nearly doubled its 2030 carbon emissions reduction target in April, to 46% from 26% from 2013 levels, responding to pressure from the United States as world leaders convene. for a climate summit hosted by US President Joe Biden. Read more

Many experts say the nuclear target will be difficult to achieve following the Fukushima disaster which brought about a big shift in public opinion after exposing the failings of industry and regulators and leading to the shutdown of all reactors in the country.

Nine reactors are currently in operation, the highest number since the disaster. The country previously had 54 operational reactors.

The plan did not mention building new nuclear power plants or replacing power plants, which some industry and business leaders had urged the government to include.

Japan aims to reduce its dependence on nuclear energy as much as possible while increasing renewable energy capacity, but nuclear energy will remain an important source of basic energy, the project says.

The Industry Ministry declined to comment on when the revised energy plan will be finalized. The government reviews its basic energy plan once every three to four years.

Reporting by Ritsuko Shimizu, Yuka Obayashi; Written by Aaron Sheldrick; Editing by Kim Coghill

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