With new FiT Japan expects 13% rise in renewables within a year

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expects the country's installed renewable energy capacity to rise 13 per cent by March 2013, stimulated by the introduction of a new feed-in tariff (FiT) system starting in July.

The country currently has 18.75-GW of renewable energy capacity and the ministry is projecting an additional 2.5-GW of solar, geothermal, wind, biomass and hydropower capacity will be installed. While this encouraging, the Japan has a long way to go to replace its 48.96-GW ofn installed nuclear capacity, representing 21 percent of total generating capacity, most of which currnetly stands idle.

Last week a government panel recommended that solar power suppliers be paid ¥42 (51 US cents) per kWh of their electricity, three times the rate of ¥13.65 (17 US cents) industrial and commercial users pay. It also suggested the government's feed-in tariff system for solar power remain in force for 20 years.

On wind-generated electricity, the panel recommended a rate of ¥23.10 (29 US cents) per kWh for producers with more than 20-KW of capacity and ¥57.75 (72 US cents) for smaller suppliers. Both charges would remain in force over the coming 20 years.

For geothermal power, the panel suggested ¥27.30 (34 US cents) per kWh for suppliers with a capacity of at least 15-MW and ¥42 (51 US cents) for smaller producers, with the rates to stay in effect for 15 years.