The Japanese Cabinet approved the 5^th edition of the country’s Basic Energy Plan.  The Plan outlines the main policies with regard to the development of the energy needs of the country.  Central to the plan remains that the country has a sustainable and independent energy supply for the long term, that contributes to the development of the country’s economy and welfare of its cities. This objective is expressed in the so-called 3E+S principles. 

For 2030 the government has set the following objectives:

• Greenhouse gas reduction of 26%
• Reliable energy mix

As main policies to achieve these objectives, the government is planning to:

• Generate 22-24% of its energy needs from renewable sources (10% before Fukushima)
• Decrease dependence on Nuclear energy from 25% before 2011 to 22-20% in 2030
• Decrease energy generated from fossil fuel from 65% before 2011 to 56% in 2030
• Take further energy saving measures to decrease the actual energy efficiency by 35%
• Promote hydrogen/energy storage and decentralized energy systems

The plan also sets targets for the long term until 2050, stating that at 80% reduction of greenhouse gases will be the main aim and strive towards an energy transition without fossil fuels. Here, the government expects a lot from technological development in the field of hydrogen, energy storage and digital technologies, further improvement of the safety of nuclear facilities, shift to use of gas away from coal and further decentralization such as micro-grids. The full report and outline (in Japanese) are available at METI’s website.

Source: METI (J)