［Japan］ Japan’s Electric Power Council for a Low Carbon Society Released its Vision for a Long-Term Global Warming Strategy

On October 2, 2019, Japan’s Electric Power Council for a Low Carbon Society (ELCS) published its vision for a long-term global warming strategy, “the Future Direction and Contribution of Japan’s Electric Utilities to a Low-Carbon Society.” The ELCS was established in February 2016, primarily by Japanese electric utilities as well as independent power producers in order to promote effective global warming measures in the power generation sector, while ensuring ‘Safety + Energy Security, Economy, and Environment (S+3E)’. The ELCS’ vision is in accordance with the Japanese government’s two latest energy policies—The 5th Strategic Energy Plan (2018)[1] and Japan's Long-term Strategy under the Paris Agreement (2019)[2], and shares the same concepts to achieve a low-carbon society.

 In order to shift to a low-carbon society by reducing CO2 emissions on a global scale, the ELCS plan sets out four basic goals:

·  Pursuing a dynamic energy mix to achieve a reliable and affordable energy supply, as well as promoting environmental preservation, based on safety assurance concepts

·  Moving forward with low-carbon power and electrification through comprehensive energy savings and an optimized energy mix

·   Promoting the development and deployment of innovative technologies to achieve significant CO2 emission reductions

·   Reducing CO2 emissions on a global scale through international contributions, by promoting the export of Japan’s low-carbon infrastructure technologies as well as expanding Japanese companies’ business activities overseas[3]

As of August 2019, the ELCS has 47 members, including Kansai Electric Power (KEPCO, Headquarter: Osaka Prefecture), Kyushu Electric Power (Kyuden, Headquarter: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture[4]) and other electric utilities as well as power producers.[5] [6]

[1] https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2018/07/20180703001/20180703001.html

[2] https://www.env.go.jp/press/106869.html

[3] https://e-lcs.jp/news/4f009a368ebd6e5470ac256416bc2de8a7dbe962.pdf

 [4] https://www.kyuden.co.jp/english_company_outline_index.html

[5] https://e-lcs.jp/member.html

[6] https://e-lcs.jp/news/detail/000183.html

[Japan] Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy Held Meeting to Discuss Japan’s Energy Strategy

On July 1, 2019, Japan’s Strategic Policy Committee of Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy held its first meeting in six months to exchange views on recent energy trends and to consider the progress of policies for energy conversion and decarbonization in Japan. The meeting was held after the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy Transitions and Global Environment for Sustainable Growth, which was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) on June 15 and 16.[1],[2]

During the meeting, the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy briefed the Strategic Policy Committee on the agreement that was concluded during the G20 Ministerial Meeting on the importance of energy conversion, and the concept of a virtuous cycle for the environment and growth. The Agency also reported on recent trends and changes in energy security issues, including the energy supply and demand, geopolitical risk, environmental awareness, energy technology, and Japan’s position on energy policy.  

After the briefing, the Strategic Policy Committee members gave their opinions on various issues. Given the rising tensions in the Middle East, the committee expressed the need to develop alternative plans to secure Japan’s crude oil supply without transiting the Strait of Hormuz, since currently about 80% of Japan’s crude oil supply transits through the area. Regarding the use of nuclear power, the committee raised its concerns about the lack of a clear strategy to promote nuclear power, despite the fact that the Japanese government has set a goal to expand nuclear energy from 20% to 22% of the country's energy mix by 2030. The committee also discussed the importance of technology innovation, such as IoT and digitalization, and emphasized that the government needs to consider how to promote innovation, solicit private investment, and utilize data, particularly for energy management and integration with other fields, such as the electrification of the transportation sector. [3]

[1] https://www.jaif.or.jp/190701-1

[2] https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2019/06/20190618008/20190618008.html

[3] https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/committee/council/basic_policy_subcommittee/029/pdf/029_006.pdf

[Japan] The Japanese Cabinet Approved the FY 2018 Annual Report on Energy (Japan’s Energy White Paper 2019)

On June 7, 2019, the Japanese Cabinet approved the Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report on Energy, known as “Japan’s Energy White Paper 2019”, created by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE) under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. In accordance with Article 11 of the Basic Act on Energy Policy (Act No. 71 of 2002), ANRE publishes the Japan’s Energy White Paper each year and submits it to the National Diet. The White Paper highlights the current energy trends in Japan and provides a general overview of major efforts/activities that were implemented in the previous fiscal year.

The 2019 White Paper covers the current progress of reconstruction in Fukushima Prefecture; the implementation of global warming countermeasures based on the Paris Agreement; and recently implemented measures to strengthen the resilience of the nation’s critical infrastructures. For the reconstruction efforts in Fukushima Prefecture, the Government of Japan has been tackling various challenges, including promoting the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework[1], [2], rebuilding the reputation of local agricultural and fishery products, controlling contaminated water, and making decommissioning progress, such as removing fuel from Unit 3 of the Fukushima nuclear power plant.[3]

The White Paper also compares the current progress and situation of Japan’s CO2 emission reduction efforts to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets, with other major countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Germany. It also analyzes the per capita CO2 emissions in OECD countries, as well as their renewable energy ratio and demand scale, with current activities to increase renewable energy sources deployment.[4] The White Paper also provides a brief overview of the recovery efforts for major disasters that occurred in 2018, including Typhoon #24 and the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake.[5], [6]

[1] After the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent nuclear disaster, the Government of Japan developed and adopted the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework in order to support the community to rebuild the region. The Framework aims to revitalize industry in the Hama-Dori area in Fukushima Prefecture.

[2] https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2018/01/20190123004/20190123004.html

[3] p. 5. https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/en/category/whitepaper/pdf/2019_outline.pdf

[4] p. 9. https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2019/06/20190607001/20190606001-2.pdf

[5] p. 15. https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2019/06/20190607001/20190606001-2.pdf

[6] https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2019/06/20190607001/20190607001.html

[USA] “Governor Polis Releases Roadmap to 100% Renewable Energy and Bold Climate Action”

[Colorado Governor Jared Polis, 30 May 2019]

Colorado Governor Jared Polis (Democrat) has released a new energy plan for the state that focuses on achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040. The plan also provides specific “directions, policies, and actions,” and the state’s progress thus far. Some of the efforts include modernizing the public utilities commission, increasing the number of green jobs available, encouraging energy efficiency, etc. Polis stated of the vision, “The roadmap is not just about a vision, but includes concrete steps that will help us reap the economic benefits of renewable energy, curb pollution of our air, and fight climate change. Colorado has always been a leader in clean-tech innovation and we have no intentions of slowing down.”

[Japan] Hokuriku Electric Power Released its 2030 Long-Term Vision Plan and its Medium-Term Management Plan from 2019 to 2022

On April 25, 2019, Hokuriku Electric Power Company released its 2030 Long-Term Vision Plan, along with an implementation plan, the Medium-Term Management Plan from 2019 to 2022. The plans recognize the changing landscape of Japan’s energy industry and present a set of action plans for Hokuriku Electric Power Company to achieve sustainable growth. Hokuriku Electric Power Company serves customers in the northwestern part of Japan, in the Hokuriku region, which includes Toyama, Ishikawa, and part of Fukui and Gifu prefectures.

Japan’s energy industry has experienced significant changes caused by population decline, the introduction of emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, and EVs, environmental regulations for climate change, and by the intensifying competition led by the implementation of a deregulated electricity retail market. Hokuriku Electric Power expects further changes in the future and foresees the disruption of existing business models due to the adoption of innovative technologies and the growing awareness of the need to promote a sustainable society.

To accommodate the changes, Hokuriku Electric Power developed its 2030 Long-Term Vision Plan and its Medium-Term Management Plan from 2019 to 2022. The two pillars of the plans are 1) the expansion of a comprehensive energy business, including increasing clean energy generation capacity, maintaining a stable electricity supply, and increasingly providing more value-added services to customers; and 2) cultivating new growing businesses, including expansion into domestic and overseas business markets, new products, and service development.