Japan looks into renewables, nuclear to reach 2030

By Energy Connects

Oct 05, 2021

Japan includes nuclear into its energy mix to power the country, although some of the plants have been offline due to the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011.

Japan wants to expand renewable energy, nuclear to meet a 2030 target of 46 percent in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 2013 levels, said the new industry minister in his first press conference.

"I would like to promote the maximum adoption of renewable energy, thorough energy conservation and the restart of nuclear power plants with the highest priority on safety," the minister, Koichi Hagiuda said.

Hagiuda called on promoting collaborative efforts to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, and 2030 target. Simultaneously the industry ministry will promote nuclear fuel cycle policy in line with the government's goals to cut high-level radioactive waste and make it less hazardous, he added.

A day earlier Japan hosted the “Asia green growth partnership” to discuss transitioning into renewables within the region.

“There are a variety of energy transition pathways in each country. It is most effective to make efforts according to each country’s economic, social and energy situation and technological capabilities,” said Hiroshi Kajiyama, the outgoing minister.

Kajiyama said that it is vital to use various options, “such as nuclear power, hydrogen and ammonia, to promote energy transitions in a realistic way.”

According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), Japan still depends on more than 80 percent fossil fuels. However, the country ranks third in the world in solar power generation capacity after China and the U.S.

Japan pledged to become carbon neutral, achieving net zero by 2050.