Japan adds 3.7 GW of renewables since Jul 2012

Oct 4, 2013 - Japan has installed 3,666 MW of renewable energy capacity since the start of its feed-in tariffs (FiT) programme in July 2012, the country’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said today.

The capacity was installed in the 12 months through June 2013. Of the total, solar had the biggest share, with residential, utility- and commercial-scale solar parks reaching a combined capacity of 3,500 MW, according to the report.

Following the 2011 accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, Japan has been putting considerable efforts into encouraging investment in the renewable segment. In July 2012 it introduced ample FiTs for renewable power that attracted the attention of international and domestic investors. Although the country approved a 10% cut in the FiT for solar electricity to JPY 37.8 (USD 0.389/EUR 0.256) per kWh as of April 1, the move did not affect the huge interest.

The Asian country has given the green light to 22,914 MW of renewable energy FiT projects by June 2013, including solar, wind and biomass.

(JPY 100 = USD 1.030/EUR 0.756)

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!