Renewables: METI vs Environment Ministry

April 7, 2015

Miyazawa doubts estimate of renewable energy use

Apr. 7, 2015 - Updated 08:49 UTC+2

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20150407_21.html

Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoichi Miyazawa has doubts about the feasibility of the Environment Ministry's plan regarding the nation's energy mix.

The Environment Ministry said earlier this month that energy from renewable sources can supply up to 35 percent of the country's total energy demand in the future. The Industry Ministry also plans on boosting the ratio of renewable energy from the current goal of 21 percent, but has not set a specific target.

Miyazawa told reporters on Tuesday that he has no idea how the Environment Ministry's estimate is viewed by insiders. He said the estimate does not fully take into account a possible increase in costs that would occur as a result of the increase in renewable energy.

Miyazawa said it is difficult to use the estimate to work out Japan's energy mix.

Also on Tuesday, Environment Minister Yoshio Mochizuki said his ministry's estimate is different from those of other ministries because it has yet to calculate the necessary technology.

Mochizuki said it is obvious that the figure cannot be achieved through hope alone, but that his ministry would like to increase power from renewable sources as much as possible.