Japan's renewable generation program off to promising start

Japan's new renewable energy program has already exceeded its fiscal 2012 target by more than 50 percent.

The capacity of facilities approved by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has reached around 1.3 million kw in the two months since the feed-in tariff scheme began July 1. METI aims to raise that to 2.5 million kw through next March.

Of the 1.3 million kw approved, solar power plants account for 1.03 million kw (about 80 percent), wind power plants about 262,000 kw, and biomass plants 6,000 kw. 

The number of solar power plants apparently surged because they are easier to install. Under the feed-in tariff scheme, utilities must purchase all electricity generated by renewable sources at preset premiums for up to 20 years, with the costs passed on to consumers.

"We have seen a fairly good start," said the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, though it noted that not all of the facilities approved will start selling power this fiscal year because of the time needed to build them.

For more.