A recent study by the Renewable Energy Institute suggests that Japan could increase the share of renewable energy in its electricity production to 80 percent by fiscal 2035. The study outlines a strategy that includes expanding the use of storage batteries and enhancing regional power grid cooperation, all while aiming to phase out nuclear and coal power entirely.
Currently, renewables account for 22 percent of Japan's electricity generation, a figure achieved in fiscal 2022. The think tank asserts that this proposed energy transition is feasible without significantly raising electricity bills or curtailing industrial activity. The analysis assumes that power consumption will remain stable, even as industries like semiconductor manufacturing and data centers grow, thanks to anticipated improvements in energy efficiency.
This study comes as the Japanese government prepares to draft a new energy mix plan next year, which may see increased reliance on nuclear power to meet rising energy demand. The institute recommends boosting renewable energy generation capacity to about 500 million kilowatts, up from 150 million kilowatts in fiscal 2022. It also emphasizes the need for stronger infrastructure to connect regional power grids, particularly between the Tokyo area and Hokkaido.
Furthermore, the study calls for Japan to expand its storage battery capacity from the current 1.8 million kilowatts to 72 million kilowatts, which would enable the effective storage of electricity generated from solar power.
To meet the remaining 20 percent of energy demand, the think tank suggests utilizing natural gas, which produces lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to other fossil fuels. This transition aligns with Japan's goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 65 percent from 2019 levels, a target identified by a U.N. panel as critical for limiting global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The Renewable Energy Institute, established in 2011 by Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank Group Corp., was formed in response to the catastrophic earthquake and subsequent nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Source: Mainichi.jp
