Japan's METI kicks off policy discussions to review 2030 energy mix

Tokyo — Japan launched a series of policy discussions Oct. 13 to review the country's Strategic Energy Plan aimed at scrutinizing the progress toward the 2030 energy mix as it accelerates efforts to achieve a decarbonized society by early second half of the century.

The launch of the policy meetings by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry -- the first since the Strategic Energy Plan was put in place in July 2018 -- reflects the government's intention to accelerate the process of moving towards cleaner fuels.

"Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and the timing to review the next Strategic Energy Plan," METI Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama said at the meeting Oct. 13.

"Advancing the restoration of Fukushima, as well as pursuing safety as a top priority, are to be a major premise for considering the energy policy," he said.

"The new Suga administration has placed the realization of the decarbonized society and stable energy supply as principles for moving forward the energy policy," Kajiyama added.

Kajiyama expressed his hope for having "a balanced course of action" for a picture of the decarbonized society, which is expected to be realized at an earliest possible stage in the second half of the century, and what needs to be done for 2030 after a series of candid policy discussions.

In its latest series of discussions, METI intends to examine issues surrounding Japan's targeted decarbonized society by early second half of this century and assess the progress, as well as consider additional policy measures for the 2030 energy mix, according to planned proceedings of the policy meetings.

Japan, the world's fifth largest emitter of carbon dioxide, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 under the Paris Agreement.

2030 ENERGY MIX

Under the current plan, Japan targets reducing its share of fossil fuels in the energy mix for power generation to 56% by fiscal 2030-31 (April-March), compared with 77% in fiscal 2018-19, in return for boosting its share of nuclear and renewable energy.

Nuclear energy accounts for 22-20% of the energy mix in fiscal 2030-31, up from 6% in fiscal 2018-19, while the 2030-2031 renewable energy will be up to 22-24% from 17% in the fiscal year to March 2019.

The 2030-31 fossil fuels share comprises 27% of LNG, 3% of oil and 26% of coal, compared with the 2018-19 share of 38% of LNG, 7% of oil and 32% of coal.

The Great East Japan Earthquake, which rocked offshore Fukushima in northeastern Japan in March 2011 and caused subsequent nuclear outages in the country, prompted Japan to undergo a major review of its energy mix for power generation.

PHASING OUT

METI has recognized a need for Japan to move on reducing its power generation from inefficient coal-fired plants to close to zero to achieve its target of a 26% share for coal in its energy mix in fiscal 2030-31, down from 32% in fiscal 2018-19, as there are some new efficient plants under construction.

METI on Aug. 7 launched formal policy discussions on a regulatory framework to ensure the country phases out inefficient coal-fired power plants by 2030, with measures including limiting new construction of inefficient plants.

The latest move follows a directive announced July 3 by Kajiyama to start drawing up a new, more effective framework to ensure the phasing out of inefficient coal-fired power plants by 2030 as part of Japan's strategic energy plan.