More than 25% nukes

April 7, 2015

Keidanren says over 25% ratio for nuclear power

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20150407_14.html

Apr. 7, 2015 - Updated 03:01 UTC+2

Japan's largest business federation is proposing that nuclear power supply should be more than 25 percent of the country's energy needs in 2030.

Officials at Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, have compiled the proposal to be presented to the government for its energy mix discussions.

They say the ratio of renewable sources, such as solar power, should be about 15 percent, and thermal power should cover the remaining 60 percent or so.

The officials also say in addition to restarting nuclear reactors at power plants where their safety is confirmed, rebuilding of such facilities should also be considered.

The government has been working to decide on its energy mix plan which would impact greenhouse gas emissions. It must present its target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions at a UN climate change conference COP 21 at the end of this year.

Keidanren Chairman Sadayuki Sakakibara told reporters on Monday keeping a certain level of nuclear power plants is necessary for Japan's energy policy and for global measures to fight the climate change.

April 5, 2015

METI reviewing Japan's energy mix

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20150405_15.html

Apr. 5, 2015 - Updated 10:09 UTC+2

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is reviewing Japan's energy mix. It aims to increase the use of renewable energy sources while reducing the country's dependence on nuclear power.

The ministry has been holding meetings of experts since January to come up with an optimal energy mix for 2030. The Cabinet adopted a basic plan last April.

The ministry plans to lower the target for nuclear power from 28 percent, which was approved before the 2011 Fukushima accident.

However, the ministry intends to keep the ratio in the lower 20-percent range to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to contain the cost of generating electricity.

The new target assumes the resumption of existing nuclear plants as well as the decommissioning of some reactors, including the 5 whose closure was decided last month.

The target for renewable sources, on the other hand, will be raised from the original 21 percent to exceed the ratio for nuclear power.

The ministry will present a draft energy mix proposal to the ruling parties by the end of this month. It intends to finalize the plan before the G7 summit in June, when measures against global warming will be discussed.