The first update to Japan’s energy policy since the tsunami and resultant Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 will not include a definite renewable energy target, according to a leaked draft.
The document, seen by Bloomberg News, will instead open the door to an unspecified future upward revision in the country’s renewable goals.
The country has a renewable energy target of 30% by 2030. The latest draft amendment to the policy states that a new round of objective will be developed to “further” build on existing legislation. Junior coalition partner New Komeito had been pushing for the amendment, which could be published as soon as this week, to include the new goals.
The report also stated the important role nuclear energy plays in providing the country with base load power generation, despite popular public opposition to the technology.
Japan has become the second largest source of demand for solar power installing 6.9GW in 2013, according to data from the European Photovoltaic Industry Association.