A Mandate for Renewables - Japan

May 26, 2002 – Vol.7 No.9

A MANDATE FOR RENEWABLES - JAPAN.

In another precursor (refer to ENERGIES 5/19/02) to Kyoto ratification, Kyodo News reports that the Japanese Diet has enacted a law that will require a specific (but as yet unannounced) percentage of the electricity generated in the country to come from renewables. The law designates that this portion of electric energy most come from wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric and biomass sources. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will also add waste-to-energy to the mix of acceptable renewable sources.

(Environmental groups have opposed including waste-to-energy as a renewable because of toxic and greenhouse gas emissions. Japan, which imports most of its raw materials, including those used to make products which could eventually become fuel in waste-to-energy facilities, could actually be increasing its national carbon dioxide emissions. Imported carbon (carbon from crude oil for plastics for instance) becomes exported carbon dioxide for the rest the world.)

Utility companies that can’t meet the mandate must purchase renewable generated electricity from others that might have extra to sell. METI will review and set the renewables target every four years. The new law goes into effect soon - April of next year.