Japan could announce RE tariffs this month

Japan’s march away from nuclear power continues.

Japan may announce generous feed-in tariffs (FIT) for electricity generated from renewable energy this month to encourage investment in non-fossil fuel power plants. The country’s new RE program will start in July.

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry hopes to receive the recommended rates by April 27. The preferential rates will then need government approval, said Keisuke Murakami who heads clean energy programs at the ministry.

FIT guarantees above-market rates for solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and hydroelectric power. The Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association proposed US$0.52 cents a kilowatt-hour for 20 years for solar power. For wind, the Japan Wind Power Association suggested as much as US$0.31 a kilowatt- hour for the same period.

Murakami said no decision had been made about rates for solar power. One report, however, placed this at US$0.52 per kilowatt- hour for some 20 years.