Starting in 2023, despite some opposition, nuclear power generation is expected to increase significantly, giving Japan room to maneuver when it comes to reducing fuel emissions and achieving its net 0 purpose until 2050.
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In October 2020, Japan, the world’s fifth-largest emitter of carbon emissions, committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said at the Leaders’ Summit on Climate in April 2021 that Japan’s purpose is to reduce its net emissions. greenhouse fuel emissions of 46% through 2030 to 2013 degrees and “continue the relentless effort in your challenge” to achieve 50% relief. carbon neutrality would arrive “as soon as possible” at this point in part of the century.
Building on its most recent commitment, the government presented its new “Carbon Neutral Green Growth Strategy 2050” in December 2020 and approved a new central energy plan in October 2021. The plan included a revised combined electric power target for 2030 of 36-38% renewable (up from 22-24% in the previous version), 20-22% nuclear (unchanged), 22% fuel (up from 27% previously) and 19% coal (up from 26% previously).
Funding for coal-fired power plants is expected to be minimized in the future, as the publicly funded Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) will only finance coal-fired power plants in strict situations, such as plants that are supplied with carbon capture and storage.
Indeed, while the recently revised fundamental strength plan showed a transparent roadmap for reaching the goal of net zero emissions by 2050 and reducing significant amounts of fossil fuels, it will not be conceivable to keep coal resources at 19% if Japan wants to meet the promised target. The relatively high reliance on the nutransparent force has also been criticized given the strong local opposition to the reopening of nutransparent reactors and the accompanying legal problems.
The reversal of the fate of the Fukushima plant in 2011 had a significant effect on Japan’s energy formula and business structure. Nuclear power was completely suspended and, although it was recently partially restarted, the country has become even more dependent on fossil fuels for supplies. the electricity generation gap, which has had a negative effect on the balance sheet of its industry. Since the War in Ukraine, Japan’s industry deficit has widened considerably again, basically due to emerging commodity prices.
However, overall imports of fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and liquefied herbarium fuel (LNG) by volume have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, with the exception of a cumulative transience in LNG imports in the 2020/21 winter season, largely due to severe electricity shortages.
After the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Japan was quick to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and aligned itself with the Western sanctions regime on a number of issues. However, in terms of energy, Japan first made the decision not to comply: it recently announced its goal of phasing out Russian imports of coal and oil. However, Japan continues to assist the ongoing joint LNG projects in Sakhalin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently signed a decree to take full control of the Sakhalin-2 oil and fuel project, which could oust Shell and Japanese investors, who own just under 50% of its shares. Sakhalin-2 is one of the largest LNG projects with a production of nine to 12 million tons consistent with the year, which basically pass to Japan, South Korea, China, India and other Asian countries. So far, Russia’s Gazprom is expected to hold key contracts in position to deliver LNG to Japan, however, uncertainty over contracts has increased, and this may have a significant effect not only on Japan but also on Asian countries in general. Japan imports about 10% of Russia’s LNG, basically under long-term contracts of 10 to 20 years. of this site. But on July 19, the Japanese government said no additional steps had been taken through the Russian government in connection with the creation of a new Russian consistent withator.
Before the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, there were 54 nuclear reactors in operation in Japan, offering about 30 percent of the country’s electricity. In 2013, the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) established new regulatory requirements and, since 2015, has restarted idle nuclear reactors. that meet enhanced protection standards. Since the Ukrainian war, record temperatures and a nearby energy crisis have prompted Japan to accelerate its overhaul of idle nuclear reactors.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called for up to nine reactors to be operational this winter to avert an electric power crisis. However, the central government has little force to order the reopening of nuclear power plants due to strict regulatory procedures. it will likely take longer than the government anticipates, and in the meantime, dependence on fossil fuels is expected to remain high. As of June 2022, 10 of the 33 operational nuclear reactors had obtained NRA restart authorization, and only 4 reactors are in operation lately. Although local governments agreed to restart the reactors, six are still out of service for maintenance. Fifteen other operational reactors are in the stages of the restart approval procedure and two new reactors in structure have also submitted applications.
Heavy reliance on imported force resources is a long-standing challenge for Japan, and the recent spike in commodity costs due to the war in Ukraine appears to have fueled discussions about restarting the nuclear force faster than expected. to build its fossil fuel source, basically LNG, to fill the electricity shortage, however, geopolitical challenges with Russia threaten the stability of the LNG source. Starting next year, despite some local opposition, nuclear power generation is expected to increase. particularly compared to this year, so it looks like there will be room to breathe when it comes to loading raw fabrics and reducing fuel emissions. the balance of the industry.
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Senior Economist, South Korea and Japan
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