NEWS

TOP

• Mitsubishi Heavy keen to show progress in nuclear technologies; engineering firm works on reactors that can adjust loads quickly
• Chemicals and several other sectors miss CO2 reduction targets;
  reports to government fudge status of high emission industries
• Japan to test zero-loss power transmission lines; technology aims to deliver electricity across distances without leakage

ENERGY TRANSITION & POLICY

• Commission plans to scrutinize fuel costs of baseload power
• MoE selects town to test streamlined offshore wind assessments
• Four ammonia R&D projects selected for government funding
• METI minister announces new Japan energy initiative for ASEAN
• Toshiba talks up potential for profit from CCUS and offshore wind; And improves charging speed of lithium-ion batteries
• Retailer Aeon to use 100% renewables at 160 malls around Japan
• Euglena says research confirms biofuel works well for coastal ships
• Mitsui OSK and Itochu win approval for ammonia fuel ships in U.S.

ELECTRICITY MARKETS

• U.S. and Japan seek to cooperate on fast-breeder reactors
• Fukui governor talks with Kansai Electric, Japan Atomic on restarts
• Cosmo submits plans to build 400 MW offshore wind farm in Akita
• Renova cuts profit forecast after failure to win offshore wind bid
• Vena Energy gets green loan from Shinsei Bank for wind farm
• Huawei to enter Japans battery storage market, chasing Tesla
• J-Power shares jump after UK wind farm project completes tests
• TEPCO suspends Fukushima submarine robot survey of Unit 1

OIL, GAS & MINING

• Chiba, Osaka areas use record daily gas volumes after a snowfall
• METI minister expresses relief after Indonesia lifts coal export ban
• Tokyo Gas and Mitsubishi build strategy to decarbonize city gas
• Marubeni, ENEOS to move to cleaner ethylene transporting ships

ANALYSIS

TOP INTERVIEW:
DIRECTOR AT METI’S POLICY PLANNING DIVISION

Japan NRG sat down with KUME Takashi, Director at METI’s Policy Planning and Coordination Division, to discuss the latest energy issues and outlook. Mr. Kume explained Japan’s Asia strategy goals, stance on LNG, willingness to protect coal-fired generation, how Japan will meet its renewables goals, the policy stance on nuclear and carbon pricing, outlook for batteries and green steel, and how the power market liberalization has changed the ministry’s relationship with industry.

UPSET OVER OFFSHORE WIND TENDERS MAKES METI RECONSIDER PROCESS, MAY DELAY NEW PROJECTS

Japan’s first-ever, fixed-bottom offshore wind tenders were swept by groups led by Mitsubishi Corporation and backed by record low prices. The results caused surprise and even shock in the industry. The winning price may now become a catalyst for the beginning of competitive pricing of offshore wind power generation in Japan, but it could also cause challenges for diverse participation in future auctions in what is still a nascent market. In response, METI Minister Hagiuda signaled that the framework to select auction winners may be reconsidered, or at least adjusted, to accommodate some of the industry’s concerns.

GLOBAL VIEW

An offshore energy storage system is touted as a game changer for wind farms. Czechs vow to phase out coal. The UK will speed up closure of an aging nuclear plant. The U.S. says its oil and natural gas production could set new records. The IEA accuses Russia of slow gas supplies to Europe. Details on these and more in our global wrap.

EVENT CALENDAR FOR 2022

Key political and business events in Japan and abroad.