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Expanding use of non-fossil energy sources

Utilizing nuclear power generation based on the premise of safety assurance

Nuclear power emits no carbondioxide (CO2) in the process of power generation, and even considering CO2 emissions over the entire life cycle of various energy sources, those from nuclear power are lower than those from thermal power, and are even lower than those from solar and wind power.

Considering that nuclear power generation will continuously play a key role in combating global warming, the industry is committed to making utmost effort to assure the safety of nuclear power generation and to restore the trust of citizens.

Development and expansion of the use of renewable energy sources

Hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, wind, and biomass energy are all clean and renewable , and the electric companies are striving to develop them.

For example, the electric companies are developing mega-solar power generation plants (large-scale solar power generation plants) in addition to the efforts such as utilizing woody biomass fuel at their existing coal-fred power plants.

Japanese electric power companies have been purchasing electricity generated from the solar and wind power systems of our customers, and thus renewable energy sources account for about 10% of total electricity.

The feed-in tariff system for renewable energy will commence in July 2012, whereupon the electric power companies will be obliged to buy such electricity at a fixed price for a certain period. The cost of purchasing such electricity shall finally be borne by customers in the form of surcharge basically in proportion to the amount of electricity consumption. Details of the system including option pricing and terms are to be decided by the Japanese Government.

Renewable energy such as solar power has problems involving efficiency, cost of power generation and stability of output. R&D on the latest power system control technologies for combining existing power plants and storage batteries will be actively conducted to help stabilize the system, when introducing large amounts of wind and solar power, which are susceptible to the weather.

Electric companies will keep striving to develop and improve renewable energy sources.

CO2 Emission factor

As a result of our efforts to decarbonate energy supply, even though the electricity demand in Japan is now 3.5 times greater since the oil crisis of the 1970s, the CO2 emission factor (CO2 emissions per kWh of power consumption) in FY 2010 was approx. 41% lower than in FY 1970.

But the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 triggered a gradual shutdown of nuclear power plants, and in 2014, Japan relies on thermal power generation for almost 90% of its total power generation. As a result, the CO2 emissions factor for FY 2014 became 0.554kg-CO2/kWh.

As of July 2015, FEPC, together with J-Power, JAPC and 23 power producers and suppliers (PPSs), established a new voluntary framework for achieving a low carbon society, formulated the Action Plan for the Electricity Industry for Achieving a Low-Carbon Society. The Plan sets target to reduce the CO2 emissions factor for FY 2030 to approx. 0.37kg-CO2/kWh.

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