Japan reveals strategic energy road map

Japan has published its latest strategic energy plan, which includes a road map of energy-based economic growth and reformation of the energy infrastructure.

Originally formulated in 2003 it is reviewed every three years by conference bodies as well as various opinion polls.

The strategy is to ensure growth and encourage multi-faceted international trade by taking into account the social cost and price differences between nuclear, thermal and renewable energy generation.

The government of Japan will be expanding its feed-in tariff systems for renewables as well as increasing support for R & D projects and local revitalization.

Japan’s choice of energy generation has been influenced not only by the ¥17 trillion spent in 2010 on importing electricity, but also the earthquake and nuclear disasters of spring last year.

Yet, Japan will be commissioning nine nuclear plants--14 by 2030--and new fossil fuel plants, to be installed by the beginning of 2020.

The plan is to raise the energy independence ratio to 70% using the formula of self-sufficiency energy plus self-developed energy supply, divided by total primary energy sources.

If policies are sufficiently promoted, Japan’s energy target to reduce domestic energy CO2 emissions by 2030 has put in place a framework which could set it apart from the rest of the world to help solve the problem of global warming.

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