- Japan plans to achieve energy independence by 2060 using solar, wind, and storage batteries, says Rystad Energy’s CEO.
- The government aims to reduce LNG and coal’s share in power generation to under 40% by 2030, down from over 60%.
- Innovations like integrating agriculture with solar panels and installing solar rooftops over roads could enhance solar power use.
Jarand Rystad, CEO of Rystad Energy consultancy, says Japan aims to achieve energy independence by 2060 by expanding solar and wind power alongside storage batteries.
Japan heavily relies on energy imports from the Middle East, Australia, and the United States. The government plans to cut LNG and coal’s share in power generation from over 60% to under 40% by 2030. Analysts, however, note Japan’s slow progress.
“We believe we must import energy because we lack domestic resources,” Rystad told Reuters. “But renewable energy advancements could change this.”
Rystad predicts Japan could reach energy self-sufficiency by 2060 with a mix of 45% solar, 30% wind (mainly offshore), 5% hydropower, 5% biomass and e-fuel, and 15% nuclear power.
“From 2014 to 2020, Japan installed 10 to 12 gigawatts of solar annually,” Rystad said. Last year, Japan added about 4 GW, increasing its total to 87 GW—the third-largest worldwide after China and the US.
Rystad suggests integrating agriculture with solar panels and installing solar rooftops over roads to boost solar power use. “By combining offshore and onshore wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass with battery and pumped hydro storage, Japan could achieve energy independence by 2060,” he added.