in Japanese
Japan still heavily relies on coal-fired power generation and coal accounts for more than 30% of the country’s total electricity generation. On the other hand, the Japanese government has pledged at the G7 meeting to decarbonize the majority of its power sources by 2035, and is promoting hydrogen and ammonia co-firing as a measure to achieve this goal.
However, there are significant challenges when considering the speed and effectiveness of decarbonization, and the slow progress of decarbonization of the power sector is casting a large shadow over Japan's overall path toward decarbonization.
The continued policy of exporting coal-fired power generation technology to Southeast Asia also poses a challenge for decarbonization in Asia. Renewable Energy Institute carries out research on these topics from various angles.
Highlights
23 August 2024 Column
How Much Emission Will Japan’s “Zero Emission Thermal Power” Emit? : With Proposed Low-carbon Hydrogen and Ammonia Standards, Coal Remains “Unabated”
Toshikazu Ishihara, Senior Researcher, Renewable Energy Institute / Yuri Okubo, Senior Climate Engagement Strategist, Renewable Energy Institute |
1 December 2023 Comment
Why Investments in Ammonia Co-firing to Coal Power are not Consistent with the 1.5°C Climate Goal
Kae Takase, Senior, Coordinator, Renewable Energy Institute |
5 September 2023 Report
Renewable Energy: The Top-Priority for Southeast Asia to Fully Blossom |
20 May 2022 Report
Bottlenecks and Risks of CCS Thermal Power Policy in Japan |
9 July 2020 Comment (on the Review of Japan’s Energy Infrastructure Export Policy)
Cease Coal-Fired Power Exports and Shift to Renewable Energy Support |
3 July 2020 Comment
Complete Phase-out of Coal Power is Required in Japan: 30 GW of coal capacity will remain in 2030 under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry proposal |
7 July 2020 Infopack
Four Reasons Japan Needs to Cease Coal-Fired Power Exports and Shift to Supporting Renewable Energy: In response to the discussion on revision of Japan’s Infrastructure System Export Strategy |
16 March 2020 Infopack
5 Fallacies of Japan’s Coal-fired Power Export Policy |
17 October 2019 Report
Renewable Energy to Replace Coal Power in Southeast Asia: Pragmatism to Deliver a Sustainable Bright Future |
24 October 2019 Report
Risk Analysis of Coal-Fired Power Plant Investment in Japan: Exposure to Stranded Asset Risk in the Energy Transition Period |
11 October 2018 Column
Japan’s Finance Organizations Start to Clarify their Finance Policies on New Coal-fired Power
Yuri Okubo Senior Researcher, Renewable Energy Institute
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23 July 2018 Column
Plans of New Coal-fired Power Plants in Japan Are Being Reviewed: Declining Electricity Demand and the Increase in Renewable Energy Are Behind This Trend
Yuri Okubo Senior Researcher, Renewable Energy Institute |
29 May 2018 Symposium
The Future of Energy Investment after the Paris Agreement: Accelerated Decarbonization Trend |
29 May 2018 Report
Science based Coal-Phase Out Timeline for Japan: Implication for Policymakers and Investors |
28 June 2018 Comment (on the Draft Basic Energy Plan)
Japan Should Join the Global Trend for Renewables Toward Decarbonization: Persisting in Coal and Nuclear Will Put Japan’s Future at Risk |
4 August 2017 Column
Business Risks of the 42 New Coal-fired Power Plant Projects in Japan: Capacity Factor May Decline to Less Than 50% by FY2026
Yuri Okubo, Senior Researcher, Renewable Energy Institute / Teruyuki Ohno, Executive Director, Renewable Energy Institute |
1 September 2017 Report
Business Risks of New Coal-fired Power Plant Projects in Japan: the Decline in Capacity Factor and Its Effect on the Business Feasibility |
18 October 2016 Report
Coal Business and Policy Trends: What Japanese Investors Should Know After the Paris Agreement |
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