Japan Announces Goal to Produce Up to 50% of Energy From Renewables by 2040 [Video]

Japan has its sights set on renewable energy producing 40 to 50 percent of its electricity by 2040, with another 20 percent coming from nuclear power, according to a new draft of its basic energy policy.

Japan is the second-largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) importer in the world, as well as a big consumer of oil from the Middle East, so its energy plans are of interest to gas, oil and coal producers, reported Reuters.

“It is necessary to utilise LNG-fired power as a realistic means of transition, and the government and the private sector must jointly secure the necessary long-term LNG contracts in preparation for risks such as price hikes and supply disruptions,” the new draft of Japan’s Strategic Energy Plan said.

The country’s use of thermal power — particularly from coal-fired power plants — is on course to fall to 30 to 40 percent by 2040. Last year thermal energy made up 68.6 percent of …