The Japanese government has drafted an energy policy that aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s electricity mix to 36%-38% by 2030. This is higher than the country’s current target of 22%-24%. In the fiscal year ended March 2020, renewables accounted for 18% of Japan’s electricity mix.
According to the draft, Japan plans to reduce the use of coal in its total power generation from 26% today to 19% in 2030. The country maintains the target for nuclear power at 20%-22%. Natural gas will make up the majority of Japan’s electricity source by 2030, although its share was set at 41% under the new policy, down from 56%. The draft said hydrogen, ammonia, and other new fuels would contribute to 1% of the country’s electricity mix.
The revision came after Japan nearly doubled its emission reduction target from 26% to 46% by 2030 from the 2013 baseline. However, analysts said Japan would face challenges in reaching the target for nuclear power after the Fukushima disaster affected public opinion negatively. Japan now has nine active reactors, compared to a peak of 54 previously.
