Japan green lights new energy plan

This was last revised in 2021.

The Japanese government has approved its Seventh Strategic Energy Plan, which aims to boost the country's renewables and nuclear capacity.

According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, the updated policy “is consistent with the new target of reducing greenhouse gases by 73% in FY [fiscal year] 2040 (from the FY2013).”

The revised plan prioritises clean power and next-generation sources like solar batteries and portable panels. Under the plan, Japan aims to increase its renewable energy capacity to 50% of its electricity mix by 2040.

Nuclear will also play a vital role in the coming years. From reducing its dependency based on previous policy, Tokyo now targets nuclear power for 20% of its power by 2040.

The draft plan omitted all references to “reducing dependency on nuclear power as much as possible.” As for the building of new and replacement nuclear plants, it states that the nation “will seek specific courses of actions enabling nuclear power operators to replace those NPPs whose decommissioning has already been decided with next-generation advanced reactors at those sites.”