Japanese prime minister Naoto Kan has said that Japan needs to start from scratch in relation to its long-term national energy plan. Around 30% of the nation’s electricity is supplied by its existing nuclear power plants, and the government had planned to increase that to 50% over time.
In the wake of the ongoing Fukushima nuclear crisis following the March earthquake and tsunami, Japan now plans to ditch its existing plan for more nuclear power.
The prime minister has told a news conference that renewables such as solar, wind and biomass will be added to the national energy policy, and there will be an increased focus on energy efficiency and conservation.
In addition, Kan said he would take a pay cut from June until the Fukushima nuclear crisis is resolved, as part of his government taking responsibility for the nuclear disaster. His government has previously promoted the development of nuclear energy.
This news comes on the back of a comprehensive new United Nations report that is predicting demand for renewables such as wind, solar and other clean power sources will surge in coming years, and costs will fall. The report predicts that the percentage of energy from renewable energy sources globally could well reach nearly 80 percent by 2050.