BY ERIC MARGOLIS, The Japan Times
One would only need to look at a map to understand the potential offshore wind has for a country like Japan. Now, the government is eyeing moves to truly harness it.
Time may have run out in the just-completed session of parliament for a new legislative amendment that promised to provide a major boost for Japan’s sputtering wind industry by opening up vast amounts of marine territory for offshore turbines, but the bill’s next chance at passage could come as soon as this fall.
That would be no small matter, with wind power advocates saying that the amendment could spur development of an industry that many believe is Japan’s best chance at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Currently, Japan isn’t close to being on track to meet its ambitious 2050 goal, or its fiscal 2030 target of a 46% greenhouse gas reduction from 2013 levels. Fossil fuels still consist of 69% of the nation’s power mix, with renewables making up just 24%, putting it far behind many European countries.
Slow policymaking and opposition from big power companies have helped delay the transition to renewables.
Related news:
Japan’s unique terrain and conditions offer huge wind energy potential
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