Japan targets 40-50% power supply from renewable energy by 2040

Yuka Obayashi - Reuters - 17/12
Japan wants renewable energy to account for up to 50% of its electricity mix by fiscal year 2040 with nuclear power taking up another 20%, according to a draft of its revised basic energy policy, as it makes a clean energy push while meeting rising power demand.
  • Japan targets 40-50% renewable energy by 2040
  • Nuclear power to account for 20% of Japan's 2040 energy supply
  • Thermal power to decrease to 30-40% by 2040, focus on LNG
TOKYO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Japan wants renewable energy to account for up to 50% of its electricity mix by fiscal year 2040 with nuclear power taking up another 20%, according to a draft of its revised basic energy policy, as it makes a clean energy push while meeting rising power demand.
As the world's second-largest importer of liquefied natural gas and a major consumer of Middle Eastern oil, Japan and its basic energy plans are drawing global attention from oil, gas and coal producers.
Thermal power usage, particularly from inefficient coal-fired power plants, is set to decrease to between 30% and 40% by 2040 from 68.6% in 2023, although the draft energy policy does not specify the breakdown of coal, gas and oil.
"It is necessary to utilise LNG-fired power as a realistic means of transition, and the government and the private sector must jointly secure the necessary long-term LNG contracts in preparation for risks such as price hikes and supply disruptions," the draft said.
The industry ministry's policy draft unveiled on Tuesday proposes increasing renewables ...
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