Electricity in Japan in 2023/2024

Over the past twelve months, from July 2023 to June 2024, Japan's electricity generation has prominently come from fossil fuels and low-carbon sources. More than half of the electricity in Japan is generated from fossil-based sources, with gas accounting for around 32%, coal at nearly 29%, and oil at roughly 2%. Low-carbon energy makes up almost a third of the electricity mix, with significant contributions from solar power at about 10%, nuclear energy at nearly 9%, and hydropower close to 8.5%. Wind energy, however, contributes only around 1% to the electricity mix. Biofuels, although low-carbon, only make up about 4% of the total electricity generation.

Suggestions

To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Japan should consider expanding its current solar infrastructure. Solar power is already contributing a significant share of electricity in Japan, and there is considerable potential for growth. Additionally, Japan can take lessons from countries with successful low-carbon electricity programs. For instance, France and Slovakia have achieved impressive results with nuclear energy, generating 67% and 60% of their electricity from nuclear, respectively. Denmark and Uruguay offer excellent models with their significant reliance on wind energy, producing 61% and 36% of their electricity from wind, respectively. By adopting and adapting these strategies, Japan can significantly reduce its dependency on fossil fuels and increase its share of low-carbon electricity.

History

Japan's history with low-carbon electricity generation shows a substantial focus on nuclear power, which saw numerous rises and falls. The late 1970s and early 1980s were marked by significant increases in nuclear electricity generation, such as a 27.7 TWh increase in 1978 and 25.3 TWh in 1985. However, several setbacks occurred in the early 2000s, with a notable decline of 55.1 TWh in 2003. The 2011 Fukushima disaster led to a drastic reduction of 186.5 TWh in nuclear generation, followed by an 85.8 TWh drop in 2012. Despite these challenges, there have been recent efforts to revive nuclear power, demonstrated by a 32 TWh increase in 2018 and a 25.7 TWh rise in 2023, underscoring the potential for nuclear energy as a stable and significant contributor to Japan's clean energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources