Japan plots shift from coal to renewable energyKyushu Electric Power Co halted operation of a reactor of Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima prefecture, southweatern Japan, on March 16, 2020, due to a delay in upgrades to protect it from terror attacks. (Kyodo photo)TOKYO: Japan will begin discussions this month on concrete steps to reduce its dependence on coal and shift towards renewable energy sources to cut down on carbon emissions, Industry Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama said Friday. Japan currently depends on coal to generate 32% of its electricity, compared with just 17% generated by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Kajiyama said the government will look for ways to promote renewable energy, including by reforming rules on using the power grid. Under its Strategic Energy Plan, released in 2018, Japan aims to reduce its dependence on coal to 26% by fiscal 2030, while boosting its reliance on renewable energy to 22 to 24%, and nuclear energy from 6% to 20 to 22%.

Source: Bangkok Post July 03, 2020 11:37 UTC