A group of Japanese power suppliers reduced CO2 emissions in the April 2024-March 2025 fiscal year, driven by continued efforts to use nuclear and renewable power, while improving thermal generation efficiency.
CO2 emissions by the country's 61 power firms, including the main utilities like Tokyo Electric Power, Chubu Electric Power and Kansai Electric Power, totalled 309mn t in 2024-25, equivalent to 0.416 kg/kWh, according to preliminary data released by the electric power council for a low carbon society (ELCS). The emissions were based on 743TWh of electricity sales by ELCS members, accounting for 90.3pc of Japan's total power sales. The 2024-25 emissions were down by 0.6pc from 311mn t, or 0.421 kg/kWh, in the previous fiscal year.
The ELCS is aiming to cut CO2 emissions to 0.25 kg/kWh by 2030-31, in line with the government's goal for all the country's power sources in the same fiscal year.
Japan's renewable power output — including hydropower generation — totalled 154TWh in 2024-25, up by 3pc on the year, Japan's ministry of economy, trade and industry data show. Nuclear generation rose by 11pc to 89TWh. Renewable and nuclear power accounted for 18pc and 11pc respectively of the country's total power generation of 833TWh. Thermal output edged lower by 0.8pc to 624TWh in 2024-25 from 629TWh in 2023-24, but still accounted for 75pc of the total power mix.
Japan's nationally determined contribution (NDC) targets for a 46pc reduction in its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030-31 against 2013-14 levels. The government also submitted in February its updated NDC for 2035-36 and 2040-41 with an emission reduction goal for 60pc and 73pc respectively.
