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2018-07-04 12:01:00

THE NEW JAPAN'S ENERGY PLAN

THE NEW JAPAN'S ENERGY PLAN

WNNA new basic energy plan that sets goals for Japan's energy mix to 2030 and presents scenarios to 2050 was today approved by the Cabinet. Under the plan, nuclear will remain a key energy source, accounting for 20-22% of the country's electricity generation up to 2030.

The Japanese government revises its energy plan about every three years. The plan is formulated based on the Basic Energy Policy Law enacted in June 2002. The latest plan, like its predecessors, recognises the necessity of energy security for the country, which is poor in fossil fuel resources. The policy includes commitments to "clean energy" initiatives but places emphasis on ensuring stable and secure energy supplies.

Consideration of the latest plan began at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's (METI's) Basic Policy Subcommittee of the General Resource and Energy Research Committee last August. METI presented a draft of the plan on 16 May. The plan was today approved by the Cabinet, taking into account public comments received on the draft.

The Fifth Basic Energy Plan calls for nuclear energy to account for 20%-22% of power generation by 2030, with 22%-24% coming from renewable energy sources, while coal's share will be reduced to 26%, LNG's to 27% and oil's to just 3%. The plans aims to reduce Japan's carbon dioxide emissions by 26% by 2030, compared with 2013 levels, and by 80% by 2050. It also aims to raise the country's energy self-sufficiency to about 24% by 2030, compared with just 8% in 2016.

The plan says that in 2030 nuclear energy will continue to be "an important baseload power source that contributes to the stability of the long-term energy supply and demand structure". In the longer term, to 2050, nuclear will remain a "viable choice for decarbonisation".

Whilst saying that Japan's dependence on nuclear energy will be "reduced as much as possible", the plan says the nuclear target will be met through the restart of reactors and with "constant safety improvement".

Japan published its fourth Basic Energy Plan - previous plans were passed in 2003, 2007 and 2010 - in April 2014. In it, METI considered nuclear power to be a quasi-domestic source that gives stable power, operates inexpensively and has a low greenhouse gas profile. However, the ministry noted that nuclear must be developed with safety as a priority and with constant work on preparedness for emergency. Nuclear power is an 'important power source that supports the stability of the energy supply and demand structure' it said.

Prior to the March 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, Japan relied on nuclear energy for some 30% of its electricity. In response to the accident, all of the country's operable nuclear reactors were taken offline pending clearance from the Nuclear Regulation Authority under new regulations that came into force in July 2013. As a result, Japan saw its fossil fuel imports and greenhouse gas emissions increase significantly. So far, nine reactors have been restarted, while several more have applied to do so.

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Earlier:

 JAPANESE - CHINESE GAS DISPUTE
2018, July, 2, 11:45:00

JAPANESE - CHINESE GAS DISPUTE

REUTERS - Japan has protested to China for allowing a gas drilling vessel to operate in disputed waters in the East China Sea, the government said

 

 THE DRAMATIC U.S. GOVERNMENT
2018, June, 4, 13:45:00

THE DRAMATIC U.S. GOVERNMENT

PLATTS - "Japanese companies don't want to stop imports suddenly," he said, adding the US position needed clarifying. "The situation in the US government is drastically changing every day."

 CLEAN NUCLEAR FUTURE
2018, May, 23, 10:10:00

CLEAN NUCLEAR FUTURE

WNN - The United States, Canada, and Japan are launching the Nuclear Innovation: Clean Energy (NICE) Future Initiative. This global effort will make sure nuclear has a seat at the table during discussions about innovation and advanced clean energy systems of the future.

 ASIA'S LNG DEMAND
2018, April, 25, 09:55:00

ASIA'S LNG DEMAND

REUTERS - global liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports have risen 40 percent since 2015, to almost 40 billion cubic meters (bcm) a month. Growth accelerated in 2017, with imports up by a fifth, largely because of rising demand in China, but also in South Korea and Japan.

 SAUDIS OIL FOR JAPAN
2018, February, 14, 09:50:00

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PLATTS - Saudi Arabia's commitment to the OPEC-led production output cut deal was confirmed with reduced exports to key Asian outlets in 2017, but Japanese imports of Saudi crude jumped to the highest level in 35 years as the kingdom also maintained its flexibility to meet demand whenever there is a need. Japan's crude oil imports from Saudi Arabia rose 9.5% year on year to 1.295 million b/d in 2017, or 40.1% of total imports in the year, and the country's imports of Saudi crude in 2017 were the highest since 1982, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry data.

 JAPAN'S RENEWABLE ENERGY
2018, January, 15, 09:40:00

JAPAN'S RENEWABLE ENERGY

BLOOMBERG - Japan’s plans to develop its renewable energy industry are lagging much of the world, as the nation has “prioritized keeping the status quo for fear of change,” Foreign Minister Taro Kono said.

EIA: NUCLEAR ENERGY WILL UP
2017, November, 9, 13:50:00

EIA: NUCLEAR ENERGY WILL UP

EIA projects that global nuclear capacity will grow at an average annual rate of 1.6% from 2016 through 2040, led predominantly by countries outside of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). EIA expects China to continue leading world nuclear growth, followed by India. This growth is expected to offset declines in nuclear capacity in the United States, Japan, and countries in Europe.

 

 

Tags: JAPAN, ENERGY, NUCLEAR