Report Japan Coal Phase Out EG

Japan Coal
Phase-Out:
The Path to Phase-Out by 2030
Summary: Japan should completely phase out coal by 2030.
█ Coal-fired power generation emits more carbon dioxide (CO2) than any other method of
generating electricity. In order to achieve net zero emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs)
as called for under the Paris Agreement, it is crucial to quickly decarbonize our energy
Japan Coal Phase-Out:

sources. According to several research reports, that means we need to completely phase
out coal power plants, which obviously means halting new coal plant construction and also
strategically retiring existing plants. For coal-fired power generation in Japan, the country
The Path to Phase-Out by 2030 must cancel all current planning for new construction, and also retire all existing coal
power plants by 2030
█ There were 117 units at existing coal power plants in Japan as of April 2018, based on
Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

government statistics and publicly available information, and this number includes many
older and inefficient plants that have been operating over 40 years.
Contents
█ The Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan presents a schedule to gradually retire all 117 units
Summary-------------------------------------------------------------------------------p3 at existing coal power plants in Japan by 2030, starting with the oldest operating and least
Main Report efficient plants. This plan is entirely achievable without threatening the electrical power
1. Status of Coal Power Generation in Japan-------------------------------p4 supply and without relying on nuclear power, if we take into account for the available
(1) Coal power generation rose steadily since 1980 capacity of LNG and other power generation options, as well as the spread of renewable
(2) Deluge of coal plant construction plans after TEPCO's energy and improvements in energy efficiency.
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident
(3) More than 100 units at existing coal plants █ The total of 117 units includes 8 units among the 50 units planned for new construction in
(4) Total capacity of coal power plants in Japan 2012 and later, that had already begun operating as of April 2018. This Plan proposes to
2. Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan--------------------------------------------------p9 retire all of them by 2030. Units that had not yet started operating as of April 2018 have
(1) The need to completely phase out coal power by 2030 not been included in this Plan, based on the premise that their plans should be cancelled
(2) Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan before the units start operating.
(3) Impacts on electrical power supply
3. Implementing the Phase-Out Plan---------------------------------------- p17 █ The Japanese government should devise a detailed path for coal retirement as suggested
(1) Immediate revision of current policy directions is needed in this report, formulate an official Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan, and give it a high
(2) Time to start the discussion priority as part of a long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategy. With
Appendix I. List of Coal Power Plants Proposed in 2012 or Later----- p20 this plan as a basis, Japan needs to increase its GHG emission reduction targets to match
Appendix II. The number of existing power plants the Paris Agreement, promote accelerated initiatives for renewables and energy efficiency,
(Comparison between governmental Electric Power and realize the earliest possible transition to a decarbonized society, through a quick
Statistics and Kiko Network research)------------------------------ p22 withdrawal from fossil fuel dependency. The government, companies and operators must
front cover ： Photo by (c)Tomo.Yun
also disclose more data and information, since it is currently difficult to access and verify
the actual situation regarding units at existing plants and the capacity factor of each, etc.
2 3
Summary: Japan should completely phase out coal by 2030.
█ Coal-fired power generation emits more carbon dioxide (CO2) than any other method of
generating electricity. In order to achieve net zero emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs)
as called for under the Paris Agreement, it is crucial to quickly decarbonize our energy
Japan Coal Phase-Out:

sources. According to several research reports, that means we need to completely phase
out coal power plants, which obviously means halting new coal plant construction and also
strategically retiring existing plants. For coal-fired power generation in Japan, the country
The Path to Phase-Out by 2030 must cancel all current planning for new construction, and also retire all existing coal
power plants by 2030
█ There were 117 units at existing coal power plants in Japan as of April 2018, based on

government statistics and publicly available information, and this number includes many
older and inefficient plants that have been operating over 40 years.
Contents
█ The Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan presents a schedule to gradually retire all 117 units
Summary-------------------------------------------------------------------------------p3 at existing coal power plants in Japan by 2030, starting with the oldest operating and least
Main Report efficient plants. This plan is entirely achievable without threatening the electrical power
1. Status of Coal Power Generation in Japan-------------------------------p4 supply and without relying on nuclear power, if we take into account for the available
(1) Coal power generation rose steadily since 1980 capacity of LNG and other power generation options, as well as the spread of renewable
(2) Deluge of coal plant construction plans after TEPCO's energy and improvements in energy efficiency.
(3) More than 100 units at existing coal plants █ The total of 117 units includes 8 units among the 50 units planned for new construction in
(4) Total capacity of coal power plants in Japan 2012 and later, that had already begun operating as of April 2018. This Plan proposes to
2. Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan--------------------------------------------------p9 retire all of them by 2030. Units that had not yet started operating as of April 2018 have
(1) The need to completely phase out coal power by 2030 not been included in this Plan, based on the premise that their plans should be cancelled
(2) Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan before the units start operating.
3. Implementing the Phase-Out Plan---------------------------------------- p17 █ The Japanese government should devise a detailed path for coal retirement as suggested
(1) Immediate revision of current policy directions is needed in this report, formulate an official Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan, and give it a high
(2) Time to start the discussion priority as part of a long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategy. With
Appendix I. List of Coal Power Plants Proposed in 2012 or Later----- p20 this plan as a basis, Japan needs to increase its GHG emission reduction targets to match
Appendix II. The number of existing power plants the Paris Agreement, promote accelerated initiatives for renewables and energy efficiency,
(Comparison between governmental Electric Power and realize the earliest possible transition to a decarbonized society, through a quick
Statistics and Kiko Network research)------------------------------ p22 withdrawal from fossil fuel dependency. The government, companies and operators must
front cover ： Photo by (c)Tomo.Yun
also disclose more data and information, since it is currently difficult to access and verify
the actual situation regarding units at existing plants and the capacity factor of each, etc.
2 3
1 Status of Coal Power Generation in Japan government decided to accelerate environmental assessment processes as replacement
to new plants could only improve in environmental performance.1 The government also
(1) Coal power generation rose steadily since 1980 introduced a bidding process for thermal power generation to bring down electricity costs
after the accident.2 This acted as a sign to go ahead with new coal plant construction, which
had at one point been halted under the Kyoto Protocol. Since then, starting with an invitation
As Japan's dependency on nuclear power grew after the oil shock in the 1970s, so too did
to bid for TEPCO's plant, there was a deluge of coal plant construction plans. To deal with
the amount of electricity generated by burning coal. The government has promoted nuclear
projected coal plant CO2 emissions, an agreement at the level of bureau director between
power as a means of addressing climate change, but nuclear power generation peaked in
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment called
the late 1990s and since then thermal power generation from the burning of coal and
for electric utilities to specify targets that matched with national plans, and to indicate the
liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) has grown steadily (Figure 1).
responsible entities, but so far these conditions do not appear to have had any constraining
effect.3 In addition, Japan's fourth Strategic Energy Plan in 2014 identifi es nuclear and coal
as “important base load electricity sources,” and with the fi fth Strategic Energy Plan in 2018

reiterating the same approach, new coal power obtained authorization from the government.4
In the Act Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, METI established separate electricity
generation efficiency standards for new plants and existing plants, and an ordinance for
enforcement of the Act on the Promotion of Use of Non-fossil Energy Sources and Effective
Use of Fossil Energy Materials by Energy Suppliers was amended to require companies to
aim for a 44% non-fossil energy source ratio in 2030, but the majority of the 50 new coal
power units raced ahead toward construction and operation without any modifications,
and already eight units have started operating. Among the 50, plans for seven units were
announced to be scrapped at the planning stage due to factors such as local opposition and
management decisions in response to changing business conditions, but as of September
30, 2018, this still left 35 units with plans going ahead (see Appendix I on p. 16).5
Figure 1. Electricity Production in Japan
Source: 2018 Annual Report on Energy, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
(2) Deluge of coal plant construction plans after TEPCO's

1 Ministry of the Environment (2012) “Guidelines on rationalizing environmental impact assessment methodologies relating to
thermal power plant replacement” (in Japanese).
After the March 2011 accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) Fukushima 2 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (2012) “Guidance relating to operation of bidding for new thermal power generation” (in
Japanese).
Daiichi nuclear power plant, governments and power companies made a dramatic shift
3 Ministry of the Environment (2013) “Summary of Bureau Directors' meeting on thermal power generation bidding for Tokyo
toward the construction of coal power plants. In terms of replacing coal plant facilities, the Electric Power Company” (in Japanese).
4 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (2018) “Fifth Strategic Energy Plan” (in Japanese).
5 Kiko Network (2018) “Japan Coal Plant Tracker” (http://sekitan.jp/plant-map/en) “List of proposed plants” (as of April 30, 2018).
4 5
1 Status of Coal Power Generation in Japan government decided to accelerate environmental assessment processes as replacement
to new plants could only improve in environmental performance.1 The government also
(1) Coal power generation rose steadily since 1980 introduced a bidding process for thermal power generation to bring down electricity costs
after the accident.2 This acted as a sign to go ahead with new coal plant construction, which
had at one point been halted under the Kyoto Protocol. Since then, starting with an invitation
As Japan's dependency on nuclear power grew after the oil shock in the 1970s, so too did
to bid for TEPCO's plant, there was a deluge of coal plant construction plans. To deal with
the amount of electricity generated by burning coal. The government has promoted nuclear
projected coal plant CO2 emissions, an agreement at the level of bureau director between
power as a means of addressing climate change, but nuclear power generation peaked in
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment called
the late 1990s and since then thermal power generation from the burning of coal and
for electric utilities to specify targets that matched with national plans, and to indicate the
liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) has grown steadily (Figure 1).
responsible entities, but so far these conditions do not appear to have had any constraining
effect.3 In addition, Japan's fourth Strategic Energy Plan in 2014 identifi es nuclear and coal
as “important base load electricity sources,” and with the fi fth Strategic Energy Plan in 2018

reiterating the same approach, new coal power obtained authorization from the government.4
In the Act Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, METI established separate electricity
generation efficiency standards for new plants and existing plants, and an ordinance for
enforcement of the Act on the Promotion of Use of Non-fossil Energy Sources and Effective
Use of Fossil Energy Materials by Energy Suppliers was amended to require companies to
aim for a 44% non-fossil energy source ratio in 2030, but the majority of the 50 new coal
power units raced ahead toward construction and operation without any modifications,
and already eight units have started operating. Among the 50, plans for seven units were
announced to be scrapped at the planning stage due to factors such as local opposition and
management decisions in response to changing business conditions, but as of September
30, 2018, this still left 35 units with plans going ahead (see Appendix I on p. 16).5
Figure 1. Electricity Production in Japan
Source: 2018 Annual Report on Energy, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
(2) Deluge of coal plant construction plans after TEPCO's

1 Ministry of the Environment (2012) “Guidelines on rationalizing environmental impact assessment methodologies relating to
thermal power plant replacement” (in Japanese).
After the March 2011 accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) Fukushima 2 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (2012) “Guidance relating to operation of bidding for new thermal power generation” (in
Japanese).
Daiichi nuclear power plant, governments and power companies made a dramatic shift
3 Ministry of the Environment (2013) “Summary of Bureau Directors' meeting on thermal power generation bidding for Tokyo
toward the construction of coal power plants. In terms of replacing coal plant facilities, the Electric Power Company” (in Japanese).
4 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (2018) “Fifth Strategic Energy Plan” (in Japanese).
5 Kiko Network (2018) “Japan Coal Plant Tracker” (http://sekitan.jp/plant-map/en) “List of proposed plants” (as of April 30, 2018).
4 5
(3) More than 100 units at existing coal plants (4) Total capacity of coal power plants in Japan
In the preparation of this report, 117 units (44,119 MW) could be identifi ed at existing coal- The total capacity of existing and newly planned coal plants would amount to 60,209 MW if
fi red thermal power plants in Japan based on statistics and company reports (See Appendix retirement was not considered (Figure 3).
6
II on p. 18). That number includes 22 units (4,205 MW) that had been operating at least 40
years as of April 2018 and some older units approaching sixty years in operation. Meanwhile,
58 units are still relatively new, having operated for less than 20 years (Figure 2). It is also
70,000
obvious that there was literally a construction race to build the most coal plants after the
60,000
adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and before the start of the fi rst commitment period in
USC & IGCC new
2007. 50,000
40,000
With the exception of four units7 that are clearly scheduled to be demolished after being
Capacity (MW)
USC less than 40 USC over
years 40 years

replaced with new ones, there are no other obvious retirement plans for generation facilities. 30,000
In addition, information disclosure is extremely poor regarding actual operations, including

20,000 SC over
older plants, as it is not possible from available information to determine operating ratios unit- SC less than 40 years
40 years
10,000 Sub-C less than
by-unit, such as capacity factors or the emissions of CO2 and other air pollutants. 40 years
0
Sub-C New Retirement Sub-C over
40 years
-10,000
Figure 3. Capacity of Coal Power Plants in Japan (existing + new, no retirements)
Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Track
Over 40 yrs 30-39 yrs 20-29 yrs 10-19yrs Less than 9 yyrs
(Before 1977) (1978-1987) (1988-1997) (1998-2007) (After2008)
Cpapacity (MW) No.
Figure 2. Existing Coal Power Plants (by years in operation)
Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Tracker
6 From Kiko Network (2018) “Japan Coal Plant Tracker” (http://sekitan.jp/plant-map/en) “List of existing plants” (as of September
2018). For information on electricity generation facilities, the “Catalog of equipment in thermal and nuclear power plants”
(Thermal and Nuclear Power Engineering Society, FY2017 revised edition, in Japanese) was referenced. The total number
includes Takehara former Unit 1 (retired 2017) and former Unit 2 (retired 2018). The present report includes 8 units at plants
that are monitored as new plans since 2012 and having started operation as of April 2018. Note that this report draws its own
numbers from operators' reports and other publicly available information, as the “Electric Power Statistics” from Japan's Agency
for Natural Resources and Energy (2018) does not clearly provide all power plant numbers and does not publish the number of
units at each plant.
7 Takehara former Unit 1 (retired 2017), Takehara former Unit 2 (retired 2018), Toyama Shinkou former Unit 1 (retires 2021), Saijo
former Unit 1 (retires 2024).
6 7
(3) More than 100 units at existing coal plants (4) Total capacity of coal power plants in Japan
In the preparation of this report, 117 units (44,119 MW) could be identifi ed at existing coal- The total capacity of existing and newly planned coal plants would amount to 60,209 MW if
fi red thermal power plants in Japan based on statistics and company reports (See Appendix retirement was not considered (Figure 3).
6
II on p. 18). That number includes 22 units (4,205 MW) that had been operating at least 40
years as of April 2018 and some older units approaching sixty years in operation. Meanwhile,
58 units are still relatively new, having operated for less than 20 years (Figure 2). It is also
70,000
obvious that there was literally a construction race to build the most coal plants after the
60,000
adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and before the start of the fi rst commitment period in
USC & IGCC new
2007. 50,000
40,000
With the exception of four units7 that are clearly scheduled to be demolished after being
Capacity (MW)
USC less than 40 USC over
years 40 years

replaced with new ones, there are no other obvious retirement plans for generation facilities. 30,000
In addition, information disclosure is extremely poor regarding actual operations, including

20,000 SC over
older plants, as it is not possible from available information to determine operating ratios unit- SC less than 40 years
40 years
10,000 Sub-C less than
by-unit, such as capacity factors or the emissions of CO2 and other air pollutants. 40 years
0
Sub-C New Retirement Sub-C over
40 years
-10,000
Figure 3. Capacity of Coal Power Plants in Japan (existing + new, no retirements)
Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Track
Over 40 yrs 30-39 yrs 20-29 yrs 10-19yrs Less than 9 yyrs
(Before 1977) (1978-1987) (1988-1997) (1998-2007) (After2008)
Cpapacity (MW) No.
Figure 2. Existing Coal Power Plants (by years in operation)
Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Tracker
6 From Kiko Network (2018) “Japan Coal Plant Tracker” (http://sekitan.jp/plant-map/en) “List of existing plants” (as of September
2018). For information on electricity generation facilities, the “Catalog of equipment in thermal and nuclear power plants”
(Thermal and Nuclear Power Engineering Society, FY2017 revised edition, in Japanese) was referenced. The total number
includes Takehara former Unit 1 (retired 2017) and former Unit 2 (retired 2018). The present report includes 8 units at plants
that are monitored as new plans since 2012 and having started operation as of April 2018. Note that this report draws its own
numbers from operators' reports and other publicly available information, as the “Electric Power Statistics” from Japan's Agency
for Natural Resources and Energy (2018) does not clearly provide all power plant numbers and does not publish the number of
units at each plant.
7 Takehara former Unit 1 (retired 2017), Takehara former Unit 2 (retired 2018), Toyama Shinkou former Unit 1 (retires 2021), Saijo
former Unit 1 (retires 2024).
6 7
Assuming that all newly planned plants were constructed and operated and each one is 2 Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan
retired after 40 years, the total capacity would peak in 2026 at 51,367 MW and decline
thereafter (Figure 4). However, even in 2050, the newly planned and constructed plants
would not yet have operated 40 years, and remaining plant capacity would still be nearly (1) The need to completely phase out coal power by 2030
20,000 MW.
According to several research reports, to achieve the goals of limiting warming to between
In order to meet the Paris Agreement's goal, complete decarbonization is required in the 1.5 and well below 2ºC, it is necessary to reach zero emissions of CO2 from energy in 2050,8
energy sector by 2050 to avoid 2ºC of warming, and it must be achieved even earlier to avoid and the IPCC “Global Warming of 1.5ºC” special report shows that in all scenarios the only
1.5ºC of warming. However, Japan's current plans to build many new coal power plants way to limit the temperature rise to 1.5ºC is to practically phase out coal power generation.9
will lead to many large ones remaining in operation even after 2050. This is an enormous In other words, in order to be consistent with the Paris Agreement, not a single new coal-
problem. burning electrical generation unit can be constructed, existing plants need to be reduced
in number, and developed countries need to achieve a complete phase-out by 2030.10 This

phase-out by 2030 also applies to Japan as a developed country.11 Based on this reality, a
60,000
growing number of national and sub-national governments have been developing policies to
phase out coal and stop providing foreign assistance for coal plants, and more companies
40,000 are joining this trend as well.12
USC
Despite the rising international tide of decarbonization, Japan has not yet revealed plans
20,000
to retire existing plants and in fact is moving ahead with a large number slated for new
SC USC & IGCC
New construction and expanding coal power facilities on a surprising scale. Not only is this
Capacity (MW)
Sub-C
0 incompatible with the Paris Agreement, it is also going in completely the opposite direction of
global efforts to address climate change and will worsen air pollution where plants are being
Sub-C New
SC constructed. As the world moves toward a decarbonized society under the Paris Agreement,
Retirement
-20,000 Sub-C
Retirement this also means that Japan will have excess facilities that must eventually stop operating at
USC
Retirement
some point in the future, which inevitably comes with major economic risks.
-40,000
Like other countries that are aiming for a coal phase-out by 2030, it is Japan's responsibility as a
member state of the Paris Agreement to immediately change the direction of its policies, stop the
8 Ecofys (2016) “The Incompatibility of High-Effi cient Coal Technology with 2˚C Scenarios.”
Figure 4. Electrical Generation Capacity of Coal Plants in Japan 9 IPCC (2018) “Global warming of 1.5ºC: Summary for Policymakers.”
10 Climate Analytics (2015): “The Coal Gap” says that developed countries must phase out coal power by 2030. Also, “The
(existing + new, retiring after 40 years) Incompatibility of High-Effi cient Coal Technology with 2˚C Scenarios” by Ecofys (2016) points out that even with high effi ciency
coal power, new facilities cannot be built in order to be consistent with 2ºC scenario.
Source: Prepared by Kiko Network 11 Climate Analytics (2018) “Science based coal phase-out timeline for Japan - Implications for policymakers and investors.”
12 The Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA, https://poweringpastcoal.org/) currently includes 28 national and 19 sub-national
governments plus 28 corporations and organizations that have declared a coal phase-out. The PPCA declaration has three
parts: (1) Government members commit to phasing out existing unabated coal power generation (i.e., without carbon capture
and storage). (2) Business and other non-government members commit to powering their operations without coal. (3) All
members commit to supporting clean power generation through their policies and investments, and to restricting fi nancing for
unabated coal power generation.
8 9
Assuming that all newly planned plants were constructed and operated and each one is 2 Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan
retired after 40 years, the total capacity would peak in 2026 at 51,367 MW and decline
thereafter (Figure 4). However, even in 2050, the newly planned and constructed plants
would not yet have operated 40 years, and remaining plant capacity would still be nearly (1) The need to completely phase out coal power by 2030
20,000 MW.
According to several research reports, to achieve the goals of limiting warming to between
In order to meet the Paris Agreement's goal, complete decarbonization is required in the 1.5 and well below 2ºC, it is necessary to reach zero emissions of CO2 from energy in 2050,8
energy sector by 2050 to avoid 2ºC of warming, and it must be achieved even earlier to avoid and the IPCC “Global Warming of 1.5ºC” special report shows that in all scenarios the only
1.5ºC of warming. However, Japan's current plans to build many new coal power plants way to limit the temperature rise to 1.5ºC is to practically phase out coal power generation.9
will lead to many large ones remaining in operation even after 2050. This is an enormous In other words, in order to be consistent with the Paris Agreement, not a single new coal-
problem. burning electrical generation unit can be constructed, existing plants need to be reduced
in number, and developed countries need to achieve a complete phase-out by 2030.10 This

phase-out by 2030 also applies to Japan as a developed country.11 Based on this reality, a
60,000
growing number of national and sub-national governments have been developing policies to
phase out coal and stop providing foreign assistance for coal plants, and more companies
40,000 are joining this trend as well.12
USC
Despite the rising international tide of decarbonization, Japan has not yet revealed plans
20,000
to retire existing plants and in fact is moving ahead with a large number slated for new
SC USC & IGCC
New construction and expanding coal power facilities on a surprising scale. Not only is this
Capacity (MW)
Sub-C
0 incompatible with the Paris Agreement, it is also going in completely the opposite direction of
global efforts to address climate change and will worsen air pollution where plants are being
Sub-C New
SC constructed. As the world moves toward a decarbonized society under the Paris Agreement,
Retirement
-20,000 Sub-C
Retirement this also means that Japan will have excess facilities that must eventually stop operating at
USC
Retirement
some point in the future, which inevitably comes with major economic risks.
-40,000
Like other countries that are aiming for a coal phase-out by 2030, it is Japan's responsibility as a
member state of the Paris Agreement to immediately change the direction of its policies, stop the
8 Ecofys (2016) “The Incompatibility of High-Effi cient Coal Technology with 2˚C Scenarios.”
Figure 4. Electrical Generation Capacity of Coal Plants in Japan 9 IPCC (2018) “Global warming of 1.5ºC: Summary for Policymakers.”
10 Climate Analytics (2015): “The Coal Gap” says that developed countries must phase out coal power by 2030. Also, “The
(existing + new, retiring after 40 years) Incompatibility of High-Effi cient Coal Technology with 2˚C Scenarios” by Ecofys (2016) points out that even with high effi ciency
coal power, new facilities cannot be built in order to be consistent with 2ºC scenario.
Source: Prepared by Kiko Network 11 Climate Analytics (2018) “Science based coal phase-out timeline for Japan - Implications for policymakers and investors.”
12 The Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA, https://poweringpastcoal.org/) currently includes 28 national and 19 sub-national
governments plus 28 corporations and organizations that have declared a coal phase-out. The PPCA declaration has three
parts: (1) Government members commit to phasing out existing unabated coal power generation (i.e., without carbon capture
and storage). (2) Business and other non-government members commit to powering their operations without coal. (3) All
members commit to supporting clean power generation through their policies and investments, and to restricting fi nancing for
unabated coal power generation.
8 9
new construction and operation of coal plants, and accelerate the retirement of existing plants. Details of the phase-out plan are shown in Figure 5. Generation capacity gradually declines
to zero between 2019 and 2030. The details of units to be retired are shown in Table 2.
(2) Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan
To phase out coal by 2030, most importantly, coal plants that are currently planned or under 50,000
construction must all be stopped before they starting operating. These new plants could 40,000
potentially continue operating until 2050 or even after, so if plans proceeded, Japan's path 30,000
USC
to decarbonization would become more diffi cult. Considering that the construction of many
20,000
plants has already begun, and the remaining plans are nearing the end of their environmental SC
10,000
assessment processes, decisions need to be made now to cancel them immediately.
Capacity (MW)
Sub-C
0
Sub-C New
Based on the premise that plants planned currently or under construction will not operate, -10,000

Sub-C
this report hereby presents a plan to phase out all existing 117 units at coal plants in Japan Retirements
-20,000
by 2030. The proposed approach is to sequence plant retirements starting with plants that SC
-30,000 Retirements
have been operating the longest and have the lowest effi ciency (Table 1). In the proposal,
-40,000 USC
the least effi cient Sub-Critical (Sub-C) plants would be retired by 2022, the Supercritical (SC) Retirements
plants by 2025, and the Ultra-Supercritical (USC) plants by 2030.
Figure 5. Schedule for Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan

Table 1. Coal Power Technology and Phase-Out Period Source: Prepared by Kiko Network
CO2 emissions Phase-out period

Technology Generation capacity (%)
(g-CO2/kWh) (years of retirement)
Sub-critical (Sub-C) 39.1 865 4 years (2018-2022)
Supercritical (SC) 41.3 817 6 years (2021-2025)
Ultra-supercritical (USC) 42.6 785 5 years (2026-2030)
Source: Kiko Network
10 11
new construction and operation of coal plants, and accelerate the retirement of existing plants. Details of the phase-out plan are shown in Figure 5. Generation capacity gradually declines
to zero between 2019 and 2030. The details of units to be retired are shown in Table 2.
(2) Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan
To phase out coal by 2030, most importantly, coal plants that are currently planned or under 50,000
construction must all be stopped before they starting operating. These new plants could 40,000
potentially continue operating until 2050 or even after, so if plans proceeded, Japan's path 30,000
USC
to decarbonization would become more diffi cult. Considering that the construction of many
20,000
plants has already begun, and the remaining plans are nearing the end of their environmental SC
10,000
assessment processes, decisions need to be made now to cancel them immediately.
Capacity (MW)
Sub-C
0
Sub-C New
Based on the premise that plants planned currently or under construction will not operate, -10,000

Sub-C
this report hereby presents a plan to phase out all existing 117 units at coal plants in Japan Retirements
-20,000
by 2030. The proposed approach is to sequence plant retirements starting with plants that SC
-30,000 Retirements
have been operating the longest and have the lowest effi ciency (Table 1). In the proposal,
-40,000 USC
the least effi cient Sub-Critical (Sub-C) plants would be retired by 2022, the Supercritical (SC) Retirements
plants by 2025, and the Ultra-Supercritical (USC) plants by 2030.
Figure 5. Schedule for Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan

Table 1. Coal Power Technology and Phase-Out Period Source: Prepared by Kiko Network
CO2 emissions Phase-out period

Technology Generation capacity (%)
(g-CO2/kWh) (years of retirement)
Sub-critical (Sub-C) 39.1 865 4 years (2018-2022)
Supercritical (SC) 41.3 817 6 years (2021-2025)
Ultra-supercritical (USC) 42.6 785 5 years (2026-2030)
Source: Kiko Network
10 11
Table 2. Unit-by-Unit Retirement Schedule in the Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan Ishikawa Unit 2 J-POWER 156 Sub-C
Retirement Capacity Technology Tokuyama Central
year Plant name Company/Operator (MW) Tokuyama 149 Sub-C
No.9
Takehara Unit 1 J-POWER 250 Sub-C Subtotal in 2017 Nippon Steel &
2017 Nippon Steel &
Sub-C 1 250 Sumikin Stainless
Steel Corporation, Sumikin Stainless 53 Sub-C
Takehara Unit 2 J-POWER 350 Sub-C Subtotal in 2018 Steel Corporation
Hikari Works-1
2018
Sub-C 1 350 Okinawa Electric
Gushikawa Unit 1 156 Sub-C
Power
Niihama Nishi Unit 1 Sumitomo Joint 75 Sub-C
Electric Power Gushikawa Unit 2
Okinawa Electric
156 Sub-C
Power
Sumitomo Joint
Niihama Nishi Unit 2 75 Sub-C
Electric Power Sumitomo Osaka Sumitomo Osaka
103 Sub-C
2020 Cement, Ako Factory Cement
Tokuyama Central
Tokuyama 35 Sub-C
No.5 Nippon Steel & Nippon Steel &
Sumikin Stainless
Chugoku Electric Steel Corporation, Sumikin Stainless 53 Sub-C
Mizushima Unit 2 Power 156 Sub-C Steel Corporation
Hikari Works-2
Saijo Unit 1 Shikoku Electric Power 156 Sub-C Nippon Steel &
Nippon Steel &
Chugoku Electric Sumitomo Metal Co. Sumitomo Metal Co. 149 Sub-C
Shimonoseki Unit 1 Power 175 Sub-C Hirohata

Hokkaido Electric Tobata Co-operative
Naie Unit1 175 Sub-C Tobata Unit 6 149 Sub-C
Power Thermal Power
Takasago Unit 1 J-POWER 250 Sub-C Sumitomo Osaka Sumitomo Osaka
Cement, Kochi Factory Cement 61 Sub-C Subtotal in 2020
Takasago Unit 2 J-POWER 250 Sub-C
Tokuyama East No.2 Tokuyama 145 Sub-C Sub-C 16 2,368
Sumitomo Joint
Niihama Higashi Unit 1 Electric Power 27 Sub-C Nakayama Nagoya
Nakayama Nagoya power company 149 Sub-C
2019 Hokkaido Electric
Naie Unit2 Power 175 Sub-C Toyohashi Meikai power company 147 Sub-C
Sumitomo Metal Co. Nippon Steel & 149 Sub-C
Joban Kyodo Power Sumitomo Metal Co.
Nakoso Unit 7 250 Sub-C Kamaishi
Company
Chugoku Electric
Tobata Co-operative Osaki, Unit 1 Power 250 Sub-C
Tobata Unit 2 Thermal Power 156 Sub-C
Itoigawa Itoigawa Power 149 Sub-C
Toyama Shinkou Hokuriku Electric 250 Sub-C Company
Sekitan Unit 1 Power Company
Nippon Steel & Nippon Steel &
Toyama Shinkou Hokuriku Electric 250 Sub-C Sumitomo Metal, 145 Sub-C
Sekitan Unit 2 Power Company Muroran No.5 Sumitomo Metal Co.
Sumitomo Joint Okinawa Electric
Nyugawa Unit 1 Electric Power 250 Sub-C Kin Unit 1 220 Sub-C
Power
Sigma Power Ariake Miike Power 175 Sub-C 2021 Nippon Steel &
Miike Nippon Steel &
Sumitomo Metal Co. Sumitomo Metal Co. 330 Sub-C
Hokkaido Electric Oita
Sunagawa Unit 3 Power 125 Sub-C Subtotal in 2019
Mitsubishi Rayon
Otake Mitsubishi Rayon Co. 147 Sub-C
Sakata Kyodo Unit 1 Sakata Kyodo Power 350 Sub-C Sub-C 20 3,605
Company Okinawa Electric
Kin Unit 2 220 Sub-C
Sakata Kyodo Power Power
Sakata Kyodo Unit 2 350 Sub-C
Company Tokuyama Central
No.8 Tokuyama 145 Sub-C
Hokkaido Electric
Toutouatsuma Unit 1 Power 350 Sub-C
Nippon Paper Nippon Paper 80 Sub-C
2020 Hokkaido Electric Industries Kushiro Industries
Sunagawa Unit Power 125 Sub-C
UBE Power Center,
Ube No.6 Ube Industries 216 Sub-C
Ube Industries, Isa
Factory Ube Industries 57 Sub-C
Tosa Tosa power 167 Sub-C
Ishikawa Unit 1 J-POWER 156 Sub-C Sumitomo Osaka Sumitomo Osaka
Cement Kochi Cement 61 Sub-C
12 13
Table 2. Unit-by-Unit Retirement Schedule in the Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan Ishikawa Unit 2 J-POWER 156 Sub-C
Retirement Capacity Technology Tokuyama Central
year Plant name Company/Operator (MW) Tokuyama 149 Sub-C
No.9
Takehara Unit 1 J-POWER 250 Sub-C Subtotal in 2017 Nippon Steel &
2017 Nippon Steel &
Sub-C 1 250 Sumikin Stainless
Steel Corporation, Sumikin Stainless 53 Sub-C
Takehara Unit 2 J-POWER 350 Sub-C Subtotal in 2018 Steel Corporation
Hikari Works-1
2018
Sub-C 1 350 Okinawa Electric
Gushikawa Unit 1 156 Sub-C
Power
Niihama Nishi Unit 1 Sumitomo Joint 75 Sub-C
Electric Power Gushikawa Unit 2
Okinawa Electric
156 Sub-C
Power
Sumitomo Joint
Niihama Nishi Unit 2 75 Sub-C
Electric Power Sumitomo Osaka Sumitomo Osaka
103 Sub-C
2020 Cement, Ako Factory Cement
Tokuyama Central
Tokuyama 35 Sub-C
No.5 Nippon Steel & Nippon Steel &
Sumikin Stainless
Chugoku Electric Steel Corporation, Sumikin Stainless 53 Sub-C
Mizushima Unit 2 Power 156 Sub-C Steel Corporation
Hikari Works-2
Nippon Steel &
Chugoku Electric Sumitomo Metal Co. Sumitomo Metal Co. 149 Sub-C
Shimonoseki Unit 1 Power 175 Sub-C Hirohata

Hokkaido Electric Tobata Co-operative
Naie Unit1 175 Sub-C Tobata Unit 6 149 Sub-C
Power Thermal Power
Takasago Unit 1 J-POWER 250 Sub-C Sumitomo Osaka Sumitomo Osaka
Cement, Kochi Factory Cement 61 Sub-C Subtotal in 2020
Takasago Unit 2 J-POWER 250 Sub-C
Tokuyama East No.2 Tokuyama 145 Sub-C Sub-C 16 2,368
Sumitomo Joint
Niihama Higashi Unit 1 Electric Power 27 Sub-C Nakayama Nagoya
Nakayama Nagoya power company 149 Sub-C
2019 Hokkaido Electric
Naie Unit2 Power 175 Sub-C Toyohashi Meikai power company 147 Sub-C
Sumitomo Metal Co. Nippon Steel & 149 Sub-C
Joban Kyodo Power Sumitomo Metal Co.
Nakoso Unit 7 250 Sub-C Kamaishi
Company
Chugoku Electric
Tobata Co-operative Osaki, Unit 1 Power 250 Sub-C
Tobata Unit 2 Thermal Power 156 Sub-C
Itoigawa Itoigawa Power 149 Sub-C
Toyama Shinkou Hokuriku Electric 250 Sub-C Company
Sekitan Unit 1 Power Company
Nippon Steel & Nippon Steel &
Toyama Shinkou Hokuriku Electric 250 Sub-C Sumitomo Metal, 145 Sub-C
Sekitan Unit 2 Power Company Muroran No.5 Sumitomo Metal Co.
Sumitomo Joint Okinawa Electric
Nyugawa Unit 1 Electric Power 250 Sub-C Kin Unit 1 220 Sub-C
Power
Sigma Power Ariake Miike Power 175 Sub-C 2021 Nippon Steel &
Miike Nippon Steel &
Sumitomo Metal Co. Sumitomo Metal Co. 330 Sub-C
Hokkaido Electric Oita
Sunagawa Unit 3 Power 125 Sub-C Subtotal in 2019
Mitsubishi Rayon
Otake Mitsubishi Rayon Co. 147 Sub-C
Sakata Kyodo Unit 1 Sakata Kyodo Power 350 Sub-C Sub-C 20 3,605
Company Okinawa Electric
Kin Unit 2 220 Sub-C
Sakata Kyodo Power Power
Sakata Kyodo Unit 2 350 Sub-C
Company Tokuyama Central
No.8 Tokuyama 145 Sub-C
Hokkaido Electric
Toutouatsuma Unit 1 Power 350 Sub-C
Nippon Paper Nippon Paper 80 Sub-C
2020 Hokkaido Electric Industries Kushiro Industries
Sunagawa Unit Power 125 Sub-C
UBE Power Center,
Ube No.6 Ube Industries 216 Sub-C
Ube Industries, Isa
Factory Ube Industries 57 Sub-C
Tosa Tosa power 167 Sub-C
Ishikawa Unit 1 J-POWER 156 Sub-C Sumitomo Osaka Sumitomo Osaka
Cement Kochi Cement 61 Sub-C
12 13
Matsushima Unit 1 J-POWER 500 SC Subtotal in 2021 Hekinan Unit 2 Chubu Electric Power 700 SC
Matsushima Unit 2 J-POWER 500 SC Sub-C 15 2,575 Noshiro Unit1 Tohoku Electric Power 600 SC Subtotal in 2024
2021 2024
UBE Power Center, Ube Industries 145 SC SC 3 1,145 Shinchi Unit 1 Soma Kyodo Power 1,000 SC SC 5 3,500
Ube No.5 Company
Asahi Kasei NS Soma Kyodo Power
Asahi Kasei NS Shinchi Unit 2 1,000 SC
Energy, Nobeoka Energy 50 Sub-C Company
(Biomass)
2025 Reihoku Unit 1 Kyusyu Electric Power 700 SC
Niihama Higashi Unit 2 Sumitomo Joint 03 Sub-C
Electric Power Shinko Kobe Unit 1 Kobelco Power 700 SC Subtotal in 2025
Daicel Otake Daicel Corp. 50 Sub-C Shinko Kobe Unit 2 Kobelco Power 700 SC SC 4 3,100
Tokuyama Central Nippon Steel &

Tokuyama 78 Sub-C Nippon Steel &
No.7 Sumitomo Metal Co. 522 SC
Kashima Sumitomo Metal Co.
Sumitomo Joint
Niihama Nishi Unit 3 150 Sub-C Hekinan Unit 3 Chubu Electric Power 700 USC
Electric Power
Tobata Co-operative Noshiro Unit2 Tohoku Electric Power 600 USC
Tobata Unit 5 110 Sub-C 2026
Thermal Power Hokuriku Electric
Nanao Ota Unit 1 500 USC Subtotal in 2026
Summit Onahama S Summit Onahama S Power Company
50 Sub-C
Power Power Corp. Haramachi Unit1 Tohoku Electric Power 1,000 USC SC 1 522

Erex New Energy,
Erex, Saeki Biomass 50 Sub-C Matsuura Unit 2,
Saeki J-POWER
J-POWER 1,000 USC USC 5 3,800
Mombetsu Biomass Mombetsu Biomass
50 Sub-C Chugoku Electric
Electric Power Station Electric Power Co. Misumi Unit 1
Power
1,000 USC
2022 Suzukawa Energy Suzukawa Energy 112 Sub-C Haramachi Unit2 Tohoku Electric Power 1,000 USC
Center Center
Hokuriku Electric
Nakayama Nagoya Nanao Ota Unit 2 700 USC
Nakayama Nagoya 2 power company 110 Sub-C Power Company
2027
Tachibana-wan Unit 1 Shikoku Electric Power 700 USC
Mizushima Energy Mizushima Energy
Center Center 112 Sub-C
Tachibana-wan Unit 1, J-POWER 1,050 USC Subtotal in 2027
J-POWER
Meinan Kyodo Energy
Meinan Kyodo Energy Co. 31 Sub-C
Tsuruga Unit 2 Hokuriku Electric 700 USC USC 6 5,150
Power Company
Sendai Power Station Sendai Power Station 112 Sub-C
Soma Energy Park Tachibana-wan Unit 2,
Soma energy park 112 Sub-C J-POWER J-POWER 1,050 USC
LLC
Nippon Paper Karita new-Unit 1 Kyusyu Electric Power 360 USC
Ishinomaki Hibarino Industries Ishinomaki 149 Sub-C
No.1 Hekinan Unit 4 Chubu Electric Power 1,000 USC
Energy Center 2028
Isogo, new Unit 1 J-POWER 600 USC
Takehara Unit 3 J-POWER 700 SC Subtotal in 2022
Toutouatsuma Unit 4 Hokkaido Electric 700 USC Subtotal in 2028
Joban Kyodo Power Power
Nakoso Unit 8 Company 600 SC Sub-C 16 1,329
Hekinan Unit 5 Chubu Electric Power 1,000 USC USC 6 4,710
Nakoso Unit 9 Joban Kyodo Power 600 SC SC 3 1,900
Company Reihoku Unit 2 Kyusyu Electric Power 700 USC
Hokkaido Electric Hitachinaka Unit1 TEPCO Fuel & Power 1,000 USC
Toutouatsuma Unit 2 600 SC
Power Hirono Unit5 TEPCO Fuel & Power 600 USC
Chugoku Electric 2029
Shin Onoda Unit 1 500 SC Maizuru Unit 1 Kansai Electric Power 900 USC
Power
Isogo new-Unit 2 J-POWER 600 USC Subtotal in 2029
2023 Shin Onoda Unit 2
Chugoku Electric
500 SC
Power Maizuru Unit 2 Kansai Electric Power 900 USC USC 6 4,700
Matsuura Unit 1 Kyusyu Electric Power 700 SC Subtotal in 2023 Joban Kyodo Power
Nakoso Unit 10 Company 250 IGCC
Matsuura Unit 1,
J-POWER 1,000 SC SC 5 3,300 Hirono Unit6 TEPCO Fuel & Power 600 USC Subtotal in 2030
J-POWER 2030
Hokuriku Electric Hitachinaka Unit2 TEPCO Fuel & Power 1,000 USC USC 2 16,000
Tsuruga Unit 1 500 SC
2024 Power Company
Osaki Cool Gen Osaki Cool Gen 166 IGCC IGCC 2 4,160
Hekinan Unit 1 Chubu Electric Power 700 SC
Source: Prepaterd by Kiko Network
14 15
Matsushima Unit 1 J-POWER 500 SC Subtotal in 2021 Hekinan Unit 2 Chubu Electric Power 700 SC
Matsushima Unit 2 J-POWER 500 SC Sub-C 15 2,575 Noshiro Unit1 Tohoku Electric Power 600 SC Subtotal in 2024
2021 2024
UBE Power Center, Ube Industries 145 SC SC 3 1,145 Shinchi Unit 1 Soma Kyodo Power 1,000 SC SC 5 3,500
Ube No.5 Company
Asahi Kasei NS Soma Kyodo Power
Asahi Kasei NS Shinchi Unit 2 1,000 SC
Energy, Nobeoka Energy 50 Sub-C Company
(Biomass)
2025 Reihoku Unit 1 Kyusyu Electric Power 700 SC
Niihama Higashi Unit 2 Sumitomo Joint 03 Sub-C
Electric Power Shinko Kobe Unit 1 Kobelco Power 700 SC Subtotal in 2025
Daicel Otake Daicel Corp. 50 Sub-C Shinko Kobe Unit 2 Kobelco Power 700 SC SC 4 3,100
Tokuyama Central Nippon Steel &

Tokuyama 78 Sub-C Nippon Steel &
No.7 Sumitomo Metal Co. 522 SC
Kashima Sumitomo Metal Co.
Sumitomo Joint
Niihama Nishi Unit 3 150 Sub-C Hekinan Unit 3 Chubu Electric Power 700 USC
Electric Power
Tobata Co-operative Noshiro Unit2 Tohoku Electric Power 600 USC
Tobata Unit 5 110 Sub-C 2026
Thermal Power Hokuriku Electric
Nanao Ota Unit 1 500 USC Subtotal in 2026
Summit Onahama S Summit Onahama S Power Company
50 Sub-C
Power Power Corp. Haramachi Unit1 Tohoku Electric Power 1,000 USC SC 1 522

Erex New Energy,
Erex, Saeki Biomass 50 Sub-C Matsuura Unit 2,
Saeki J-POWER
J-POWER 1,000 USC USC 5 3,800
Mombetsu Biomass Mombetsu Biomass
50 Sub-C Chugoku Electric
Electric Power Station Electric Power Co. Misumi Unit 1
Power
1,000 USC
2022 Suzukawa Energy Suzukawa Energy 112 Sub-C Haramachi Unit2 Tohoku Electric Power 1,000 USC
Center Center
Hokuriku Electric
Nakayama Nagoya Nanao Ota Unit 2 700 USC
Nakayama Nagoya 2 power company 110 Sub-C Power Company
2027
Tachibana-wan Unit 1 Shikoku Electric Power 700 USC
Mizushima Energy Mizushima Energy
Center Center 112 Sub-C
Tachibana-wan Unit 1, J-POWER 1,050 USC Subtotal in 2027
J-POWER
Meinan Kyodo Energy
Meinan Kyodo Energy Co. 31 Sub-C
Tsuruga Unit 2 Hokuriku Electric 700 USC USC 6 5,150
Power Company
Sendai Power Station Sendai Power Station 112 Sub-C
Soma Energy Park Tachibana-wan Unit 2,
Soma energy park 112 Sub-C J-POWER J-POWER 1,050 USC
LLC
Nippon Paper Karita new-Unit 1 Kyusyu Electric Power 360 USC
Ishinomaki Hibarino Industries Ishinomaki 149 Sub-C
No.1 Hekinan Unit 4 Chubu Electric Power 1,000 USC
Energy Center 2028
Isogo, new Unit 1 J-POWER 600 USC
Takehara Unit 3 J-POWER 700 SC Subtotal in 2022
Toutouatsuma Unit 4 Hokkaido Electric 700 USC Subtotal in 2028
Joban Kyodo Power Power
Nakoso Unit 8 Company 600 SC Sub-C 16 1,329
Hekinan Unit 5 Chubu Electric Power 1,000 USC USC 6 4,710
Nakoso Unit 9 Joban Kyodo Power 600 SC SC 3 1,900
Company Reihoku Unit 2 Kyusyu Electric Power 700 USC
Hokkaido Electric Hitachinaka Unit1 TEPCO Fuel & Power 1,000 USC
Toutouatsuma Unit 2 600 SC
Power Hirono Unit5 TEPCO Fuel & Power 600 USC
Chugoku Electric 2029
Shin Onoda Unit 1 500 SC Maizuru Unit 1 Kansai Electric Power 900 USC
Power
Isogo new-Unit 2 J-POWER 600 USC Subtotal in 2029
2023 Shin Onoda Unit 2
Chugoku Electric
500 SC
Power Maizuru Unit 2 Kansai Electric Power 900 USC USC 6 4,700
Matsuura Unit 1 Kyusyu Electric Power 700 SC Subtotal in 2023 Joban Kyodo Power
Nakoso Unit 10 Company 250 IGCC
Matsuura Unit 1,
J-POWER 1,000 SC SC 5 3,300 Hirono Unit6 TEPCO Fuel & Power 600 USC Subtotal in 2030
J-POWER 2030
Hokuriku Electric Hitachinaka Unit2 TEPCO Fuel & Power 1,000 USC USC 2 16,000
Tsuruga Unit 1 500 SC
2024 Power Company
Osaki Cool Gen Osaki Cool Gen 166 IGCC IGCC 2 4,160
Hekinan Unit 1 Chubu Electric Power 700 SC
Source: Prepaterd by Kiko Network
14 15
3 Implementing the Phase-Out Plan
Reducing the current coal power capacity of more than 40,000 MW to zero within just over
ten years means losing what the government refers to as base load sources, so it would be (1) Immediate revision of current policy directions is needed
no surprise that concerns are raised about the impacts on a stable supply of electricity. As
shown below, however, a phase-out is fully possible without major negative impacts. It is clear that this Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan cannot be implemented without policy
change. To implement the plan, it will be necessary to reconsider current policy directions
To begin with, the construction of LNG-fired power plants in Japan has also been proceeding and develop specific policy responses.
steadily in recent years and their capacity is growing. Since 2014, about 9,000 MW of
large LNG plants have been newly built or expanded. Meanwhile, according to a summary █ Set clear policy directions for coal phase-out by 2030, consistent with Paris Agreement
of supply plans of power producers released by the Organization for Cross-regional (Strategic Energy Plan and Climate Action Plan)
Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO), the capacity factor of LNG plants is Current Japanese government policies emphasize coal and nuclear as “important base-

projected to drop from 55.3% in 2017 to 43% in 2027. As an overall surplus of capacity is load power sources,” so it is crucial to start by fundamentally revising this thinking. Rather
foreseen, if the capacity factor of LNG power generation is raised to between 60% and 65% than basing policy on coal and nuclear, for which it is difficult to adjust output, Japan needs
and power generation by renewable energy be increased to 27% as projected by OCCTO to shift its basic direction to an electrical system that can provide a stable power supply
for 2027, it will be possible to cover most of the decline in coal-fired electricity generation through flexible supply-demand adjustment of renewable energy that includes variable
capacity. It is also entirely possible that the 27% figure for renewables could be achieved well power sources.
ahead of schedule.
█ Legislate to implement the coal phase-out
Meanwhile, OCCTO's projections for maximum electricity demand and annual electricity (Enact an Act on Coal Phase-Out (tentative name))
demand for the ten years from 2018 to 2027 are flat, with ±0% as the annual average growth Based on a clear commitment to phase out coal, it is crucial to have consistent
rate. This figure was revised downward from a previous projection (of average growth rate implementation year after year. But actions are difficult under existing legislative
at 0.3%) by taking into account factors such as progress with electricity conservation and frameworks, so it will be crucial to enact new legislation that stipulates a year-by-year
energy efficiency, and measures to cut peak demand, but regardless, the future projection schedule for the retirement of coal power generation. Combined with an Act on Nuclear
maintains the same level of electricity demand as in 2018. In the future, nevertheless, it will Phase-Out, it is likely possible to promote a coal power phase-out concurrently with a
be important to further promote electricity conservation and energy efficiency, and there is nuclear power phase-out.
also significant potential for the benefits of using the “Internet of Things” (IoT), and so on. If
energy efficiency improves at an annual rate of 1.5%, the loss of coal-powered capacity can █ Revise Japan's GHG emission reduction targets and energy mix
be covered even with nuclear at zero. (Strategic Energy Plan and Climate Action Plan)
Along with a coal phase-out plan for 2030, Japan needs to revise its current energy mix,
This Plan suggests a gradual annual retirement of between 2,000 MW and 4,000 to 5,000 which is premised on coal providing 26% of Japan's electricity supply in 2030, and a
MW of coal-fired power generation capacity, and it is fully achievable if a plan is formulated in 26% GHG emission reduction target in 2030 (compared to FY2013). It is obvious that
advance and measures are implemented steadily. the ratio of coal in the electrical power supply mix in 2030 should be zero, and based on
the premise of coal power being steadily phased out, the GHG emission reduction target
should be increased to at least 40 to 50%.
16 17
3 Implementing the Phase-Out Plan
Reducing the current coal power capacity of more than 40,000 MW to zero within just over
ten years means losing what the government refers to as base load sources, so it would be (1) Immediate revision of current policy directions is needed
no surprise that concerns are raised about the impacts on a stable supply of electricity. As
shown below, however, a phase-out is fully possible without major negative impacts. It is clear that this Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan cannot be implemented without policy
change. To implement the plan, it will be necessary to reconsider current policy directions
To begin with, the construction of LNG-fired power plants in Japan has also been proceeding and develop specific policy responses.
steadily in recent years and their capacity is growing. Since 2014, about 9,000 MW of
large LNG plants have been newly built or expanded. Meanwhile, according to a summary █ Set clear policy directions for coal phase-out by 2030, consistent with Paris Agreement
of supply plans of power producers released by the Organization for Cross-regional (Strategic Energy Plan and Climate Action Plan)
Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO), the capacity factor of LNG plants is Current Japanese government policies emphasize coal and nuclear as “important base-

projected to drop from 55.3% in 2017 to 43% in 2027. As an overall surplus of capacity is load power sources,” so it is crucial to start by fundamentally revising this thinking. Rather
foreseen, if the capacity factor of LNG power generation is raised to between 60% and 65% than basing policy on coal and nuclear, for which it is difficult to adjust output, Japan needs
and power generation by renewable energy be increased to 27% as projected by OCCTO to shift its basic direction to an electrical system that can provide a stable power supply
for 2027, it will be possible to cover most of the decline in coal-fired electricity generation through flexible supply-demand adjustment of renewable energy that includes variable
capacity. It is also entirely possible that the 27% figure for renewables could be achieved well power sources.
ahead of schedule.
█ Legislate to implement the coal phase-out
Meanwhile, OCCTO's projections for maximum electricity demand and annual electricity (Enact an Act on Coal Phase-Out (tentative name))
demand for the ten years from 2018 to 2027 are flat, with ±0% as the annual average growth Based on a clear commitment to phase out coal, it is crucial to have consistent
rate. This figure was revised downward from a previous projection (of average growth rate implementation year after year. But actions are difficult under existing legislative
at 0.3%) by taking into account factors such as progress with electricity conservation and frameworks, so it will be crucial to enact new legislation that stipulates a year-by-year
energy efficiency, and measures to cut peak demand, but regardless, the future projection schedule for the retirement of coal power generation. Combined with an Act on Nuclear
maintains the same level of electricity demand as in 2018. In the future, nevertheless, it will Phase-Out, it is likely possible to promote a coal power phase-out concurrently with a
be important to further promote electricity conservation and energy efficiency, and there is nuclear power phase-out.
also significant potential for the benefits of using the “Internet of Things” (IoT), and so on. If
energy efficiency improves at an annual rate of 1.5%, the loss of coal-powered capacity can █ Revise Japan's GHG emission reduction targets and energy mix
be covered even with nuclear at zero. (Strategic Energy Plan and Climate Action Plan)
Along with a coal phase-out plan for 2030, Japan needs to revise its current energy mix,
This Plan suggests a gradual annual retirement of between 2,000 MW and 4,000 to 5,000 which is premised on coal providing 26% of Japan's electricity supply in 2030, and a
MW of coal-fired power generation capacity, and it is fully achievable if a plan is formulated in 26% GHG emission reduction target in 2030 (compared to FY2013). It is obvious that
advance and measures are implemented steadily. the ratio of coal in the electrical power supply mix in 2030 should be zero, and based on
the premise of coal power being steadily phased out, the GHG emission reduction target
should be increased to at least 40 to 50%.
16 17
█ Introduce carbon pricing ■ Information and data availability and disclosure
(Tax for climate change mitigation, domestic emission trading scheme) To secure a steady reduction of emissions from power plants as the largest emissions
In order to incentivize efforts to limit the use of coal power on both the supply and sector, adequate information disclosure is crucial. In particular, disclosure should be done
demand side, Japan should introduce carbon pricing in 2019. Based on a regulatory on an hourly basis for capacity utilization at each generation facility, as well as electricity
schedule specified by a proposed Act on Coal Phase-Out, carbon pricing would promote generated and emissions of CO2 and other air pollutants.
the selection of more efficient, low-carbon electricity generation technologies. The
implementation of the coal phase-out plan proposed in this report will for a while involve
(2) Time to start the discussion
increased capacity factors for LNG power generation, but even then it will encourage the
transition to more efficient power generation plants. It can also be expected to have an
Germany has a major coal industry, and even there, a committee has been created on
effect of broadly promoting energy efficiency and energy conservation on the demand
coal phase-out and discussions are under way. Japan currently has significant coal power
side.
generation capacity, so it might be understood that a coal phase-out by 2030 would be
difficult. However, as a country that has ratified and declared its support for the Paris

█ Revise power generation efficiency standards and non-fossil fuel electricity
Agreement, Japan has no other option but to phase out coal. We see no other choice on
generation ratio
this point and no room for procrastination, and we call upon the government to promptly
(Act Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, Act on the Promotion of Use of Non-fossil
and earnestly implement these actions. This report presents one approach toward the goal
Energy Sources and Effective Use of Fossil Energy Materials by Energy Suppliers)
of a coal phase-out, which other countries of the world are also aiming for. However, even
To be consistent with revisions of GHG emission reduction targets and the energy mix,
for the same goal of a 2030 phase-out of coal, there could be different paths—depending
Japan should also revise power generation efficiency standards, and targets for the non-
on the actual status of operations and other factors at power plants, the potential for the
fossil fuel power generation ratio (current target is 44% in 2030) —based, respectively,
introduction of renewable energy, and other local characteristics. Now is the time to start a
on the Act Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, and on the Act on the Promotion of
broad discussion and then shift to action.
Use of Non-fossil Energy Sources and Effective Use of Fossil Energy Materials by Energy
Suppliers.
The IPCC “Global Warming of 1.5ºC” special report indicated that warming could reach 1.5ºC
as early as 2030. We have roughly ten years to pass the test and avoid that situation. To that
█ Enhance energy conservation policies and load leveling
end, Japan needs to start today on the path to phase out coal.
Energy efficiency and energy conservation hold the key to achieving a coal phase-out. At
the same time as introducing carbon pricing to accelerate energy efficiency and energy
conservation by each stakeholder, it is important to implement multiple and integrated
policies to improve efficiency in power plants and power load leveling, and promote
demand-side management.
█ Massive introduction of renewable energy

The government is aiming to make renewable energy a major component of the electrical
power supply, and to do so, it is necessary to secure a priority dispatch in supplying
renewable energy and promote the massive introduction of renewable energy by
strengthening a flexible electricity interchange and strengthening the grid system.
18 19
█ Introduce carbon pricing ■ Information and data availability and disclosure
(Tax for climate change mitigation, domestic emission trading scheme) To secure a steady reduction of emissions from power plants as the largest emissions
In order to incentivize efforts to limit the use of coal power on both the supply and sector, adequate information disclosure is crucial. In particular, disclosure should be done
demand side, Japan should introduce carbon pricing in 2019. Based on a regulatory on an hourly basis for capacity utilization at each generation facility, as well as electricity
schedule specified by a proposed Act on Coal Phase-Out, carbon pricing would promote generated and emissions of CO2 and other air pollutants.
the selection of more efficient, low-carbon electricity generation technologies. The
implementation of the coal phase-out plan proposed in this report will for a while involve
(2) Time to start the discussion
increased capacity factors for LNG power generation, but even then it will encourage the
transition to more efficient power generation plants. It can also be expected to have an
Germany has a major coal industry, and even there, a committee has been created on
effect of broadly promoting energy efficiency and energy conservation on the demand
coal phase-out and discussions are under way. Japan currently has significant coal power
side.
generation capacity, so it might be understood that a coal phase-out by 2030 would be
difficult. However, as a country that has ratified and declared its support for the Paris

█ Revise power generation efficiency standards and non-fossil fuel electricity
Agreement, Japan has no other option but to phase out coal. We see no other choice on
generation ratio
this point and no room for procrastination, and we call upon the government to promptly
(Act Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, Act on the Promotion of Use of Non-fossil
and earnestly implement these actions. This report presents one approach toward the goal
Energy Sources and Effective Use of Fossil Energy Materials by Energy Suppliers)
of a coal phase-out, which other countries of the world are also aiming for. However, even
To be consistent with revisions of GHG emission reduction targets and the energy mix,
for the same goal of a 2030 phase-out of coal, there could be different paths—depending
Japan should also revise power generation efficiency standards, and targets for the non-
on the actual status of operations and other factors at power plants, the potential for the
fossil fuel power generation ratio (current target is 44% in 2030) —based, respectively,
introduction of renewable energy, and other local characteristics. Now is the time to start a
on the Act Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, and on the Act on the Promotion of
broad discussion and then shift to action.
Use of Non-fossil Energy Sources and Effective Use of Fossil Energy Materials by Energy
Suppliers.
The IPCC “Global Warming of 1.5ºC” special report indicated that warming could reach 1.5ºC
as early as 2030. We have roughly ten years to pass the test and avoid that situation. To that
█ Enhance energy conservation policies and load leveling
end, Japan needs to start today on the path to phase out coal.
Energy efficiency and energy conservation hold the key to achieving a coal phase-out. At
the same time as introducing carbon pricing to accelerate energy efficiency and energy
conservation by each stakeholder, it is important to implement multiple and integrated
policies to improve efficiency in power plants and power load leveling, and promote
demand-side management.
█ Massive introduction of renewable energy

The government is aiming to make renewable energy a major component of the electrical
power supply, and to do so, it is necessary to secure a priority dispatch in supplying
renewable energy and promote the massive introduction of renewable energy by
strengthening a flexible electricity interchange and strengthening the grid system.
18 19
Appendix I. List of Coal Power Plants Proposed in 2012 or Later (*1) Assessment
26 Fukushima Iwaki Energy Park Able Co. 112 4/2018 Unknown 672 800
CO2 completed
CO2 Kaita biomass blend firing Kaita Biomass Power Co. (Hiroshima Assessment
Planning emission 27 Hiroshima 112 2021 Unknown 672
Capacity emission power station Gas, Chugoku Electric Power) completed
Area Plant name Company/Operator Operation Status Technology intensity
(MW) kt-CO2/ Soma core industrial park Soma Kyodo Jikahatsu Kaihatsu Godo Assessment in
date g-CO2 / 28 Fukushima 112 3/2018 Unknown 672
year plant Kaisha progress
kWh
Suzukawa Energy Center (Nippon Assessment in
29 Ehime Saijo New No.1 Shikoku Electric Power 500 3/2023 USC 3,000
1 Shizuoka Suzukawa Energy Center Paper Industries, Mitsubishi Corp., 112 9/2016 Operating Sub-C 672 progress
Chubu Electric Power) Assessment in
30 Akita Akita Port No.1 (tentative) KENES, Marubeni 650 3/2024 USC 4,330 760
Osaki Cool Gen (Chugoku Electric progress
2 Hiroshima Osaki Cool Gen 166 3/2017 Operating IGCC 706 692
Power, J-Power) Assessment in
Nakayama Nagoya Kyodo Hatsuden progress
3 Aichi Nagoya No.2 (Gas and Power, Nakayama Steel 110 9/2017 Operating Sub-C 660 MC Kawajiri Energy Service (Mitsubishi Assessment in
32 Mie Unknown 112 2019 Unknown 672
Works, Osaka Gas) Corp.) progress
Sendai Power Station (KENES, Itochu Kushiro Power Station (Kushiro Coal
4 Miyagi Sendai Power Station 112 10/2017 Operating Unknown 672 Assessment in
Enex) 33 Hokkaido Kushiro Power Station Mine, F-Power, IDI Infrastructures, 112 2019 Unknown 512 590
progress
Mizushima Energy Center (Kanden Taiheiyo Kaihatsu)
5 Okayama Mizushima Energy Center Energy Solution, Mitsubishi Corp., 112 12/2017 Operating Unknown 672 Yamaguchi Ube Power
Nishiokinoyama No.1 Assessment in
Mitsubishi Chemical) 34 Yamaguchi (J-Power, Osaka Gas, Ube Industries, 600 2023 USC 3,600
(tentative) progress
Nippon Paper Industries Ishinomaki Ltd.)
6 Miyagi Ishinomaki Hibarino No.1 Energy Center (Nippon Paper 149 3/2018 Operating Sub-C 894 Yokosuka Power Plant, No.1 JERA (Tokyo Electric Power and Assessment in
35 Kanagawa 650 2023 USC 3,630 749
Industries Co., Mitsubishi Corp.) (tentative) Chugoku Electric Power) progress
7 Fukushima Soma energy park Soma Energy Park LLC 112 4/2018 Operating Unknown 672 Yokosuka Power Plant. No.2 JERA(Tokyo Electric Power and Assessment in

36 Kanagawa 650 2024 USC 3,630 749
Meinan Kyodo Energy Co. (Meiko (tentative) Chugoku Electric Power) progress
8 Aichi Meinan Kyodo Energy Trans Co., Seika Corp., Japan Energy 31 2/2018 Trial operation Sub-C 187 Chiba Coal Power (Chugoku Electric Assessment in
37 Chiba (tentative) Soga Coal Power 1,070 2024 USC 6,420
Partners) Power, JFE Steel Corporation) progress
Hibikinada Energy Park (Orix Corp., Under Nishiokinoyama No.2 Yamaguchi Ube Power (J-Power, Assessment in
9 Fukushima Hibikinada Energy Park 112 7/2018 Unknown 682 610 38 Yamaguchi 600 2025 USC 3,600
Hokuzai Transport) construction (tentative) Osaka Gas, Ube Industries) progress
Nippon Paper Akita Power Under Chiba Sodegaura Energy (Kyushu
10 Akita Nippon Paper Industries Co. 112 10/2018 Unknown 763 864 Chiba Sodegaura No.1 Assessment in
Plant construction 39 Chiba Electric Power, Idemitsu Kosan, Tokyo 1,000 2025 USC 6,000
Hibikinada thermal power Hibikinada thermal power plant (IDI Under Gas)
11 Fukuoka 112 2/2019 Unknown 584 600
plant Infrastructures) construction Chiba Sodegaura Energy (Kyushu
Chiba Sodegaura No.2 Assessment in
Air Water & Energia Power Yamaguchi 40 Chiba Electric Power, Idemitsu Kosan, Tokyo 1,000 2026 USC 6,000
Hofu Biomass-coal mixed Under (tentative) progress
12 Yamaguchi Corporation (Chugoku Electric Power, 112 7/2019 Unknown 672 Gas)
Power Plant construction
Air Water Inc.) Steam
Under Turbine (other
13 Hiroshima Takehara New No.1 J-POWER 600 6/2020 USC 3,160 766 41 Miyazaki Unknown Asahi Kasei Chemicals Co. 60 3/2018 Planning 360
construction than Sub-C/
Under SC/USC)
14 Akita Noshiro No.3 Tohoku Electric Power 600 6/2020 USC 3,140 797 Planning
construction
Under 42 Chiba Unknown Kansai Electric Power 1,000 unknown (no official Unknown 6,000
15 Nagasaki Matsuura No.2 Kyushu Electric Power 1,000 6/2020 USC 6,000 announcement)
construction
Kashima Power (J-Power, Nippon Steel Under Soma Kyodo Power Company (TEPCO, Planning
16 Ibaraki Kashima No.2 645 7/2020 USC 3,439 767 43 Fukushima Unknown Chubu Electric Power, Tohoku Electric 1,000 unknown (no official Unknown 6,000
& Sumikin Stainless Steel Corp.) construction
Fukushima Revitalization Power Power) announcement)
Consortium (Mitsubishi Corp. Power, 44 Hyogo Ako No.1 Kansai Electric Power 600 2020 Canceled SC 3,350 800
Under 45 Hyogo Ako No.2 Kansai Electric Power 600 2020 Canceled SC 3,350
17 Fukushima IGCC Nakoso Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi 540 9/2020 IGCC 2,620 652
construction
Electric, Tokyo Electric Power, Joban Sendaiko-Takamatsu Power
46 Miyagi Sumitomo Corp. 112 2021 Canceled Sub-C 672 600
Joint Power Co.) Plant (tentative)
Fukushima Revitalization Power 47 Hyogo Takasago New-No.1 J-POWER 600 2021 Canceled USC 4,050 770
Consortium (Mitsubishi Corporation Under Ichihara Thermal Power Generation
18 Fukushima IGCC Hirono 540 9/2021 IGCC 2,620 652
Power, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, construction 48 Chiba Ichihara Godo Kaisha (KENES, Tonen General 1,000 2024 Canceled USC 6,000
Mitsubishi Electric, Tokyo Electric) Sekiyu)
Under 49 Hyogo Takasago New-No.2 J-POWER 600 2027 Canceled USC 4,050 770
19 Aichi Taketoyo No.5 Chubu Electric Power 1,070 3/2022 USC 5,690 758
construction Ofunato Biomass combustion
Tokuyama East Power TKE3 (Tokuyama, Marubeni, Tokyo Under 50 Iwate Maeda Corp. 112 Unknown Canceled Unknown 423 472
20 Yamaguchi 300 4/2022 Unknown 1,800 706 plant
Generation No.3 Century) construction
Under *1 List No. 1 to 8 are included as existing power plants in this paper as they have already started
21 Shimane Misumi No.2 Chugoku Electric Power 1,000 11/2022 USC 5,377 767
construction
operation.
Kamisu Power (Marubeni、 Kanden Under
22 Ibaraki Kamisu Power station 112 2018 Unknown 672
Energy Solution) construction
Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Tracker (as of September 2018)
Under
23 Ibaraki Hitachinaka Kyodo No.1 Hitachinaka Generation (JERA) 650 2020 USC 3,680 760
construction
24 Hyogo Kobe Power Plant No.3 Kobelco Power Kobe-2 650 2021 Under USC 3,460 760
Under
25 Hyogo Kobe Power Plant No.4 Kobelco Power Kobe-2 650 2022 USC 3,460
construction
20 21
Appendix I. List of Coal Power Plants Proposed in 2012 or Later (*1) Assessment
26 Fukushima Iwaki Energy Park Able Co. 112 4/2018 Unknown 672 800
CO2 completed
CO2 Kaita biomass blend firing Kaita Biomass Power Co. (Hiroshima Assessment
Planning emission 27 Hiroshima 112 2021 Unknown 672
Capacity emission power station Gas, Chugoku Electric Power) completed
Area Plant name Company/Operator Operation Status Technology intensity
(MW) kt-CO2/ Soma core industrial park Soma Kyodo Jikahatsu Kaihatsu Godo Assessment in
date g-CO2 / 28 Fukushima 112 3/2018 Unknown 672
year plant Kaisha progress
kWh
Suzukawa Energy Center (Nippon Assessment in
29 Ehime Saijo New No.1 Shikoku Electric Power 500 3/2023 USC 3,000
1 Shizuoka Suzukawa Energy Center Paper Industries, Mitsubishi Corp., 112 9/2016 Operating Sub-C 672 progress
Chubu Electric Power) Assessment in
Osaki Cool Gen (Chugoku Electric progress
2 Hiroshima Osaki Cool Gen 166 3/2017 Operating IGCC 706 692
Power, J-Power) Assessment in
Nakayama Nagoya Kyodo Hatsuden progress
3 Aichi Nagoya No.2 (Gas and Power, Nakayama Steel 110 9/2017 Operating Sub-C 660 MC Kawajiri Energy Service (Mitsubishi Assessment in
32 Mie Unknown 112 2019 Unknown 672
Works, Osaka Gas) Corp.) progress
Sendai Power Station (KENES, Itochu Kushiro Power Station (Kushiro Coal
4 Miyagi Sendai Power Station 112 10/2017 Operating Unknown 672 Assessment in
Enex) 33 Hokkaido Kushiro Power Station Mine, F-Power, IDI Infrastructures, 112 2019 Unknown 512 590
progress
Mizushima Energy Center (Kanden Taiheiyo Kaihatsu)
5 Okayama Mizushima Energy Center Energy Solution, Mitsubishi Corp., 112 12/2017 Operating Unknown 672 Yamaguchi Ube Power
Nishiokinoyama No.1 Assessment in
Mitsubishi Chemical) 34 Yamaguchi (J-Power, Osaka Gas, Ube Industries, 600 2023 USC 3,600
Nippon Paper Industries Ishinomaki Ltd.)
6 Miyagi Ishinomaki Hibarino No.1 Energy Center (Nippon Paper 149 3/2018 Operating Sub-C 894 Yokosuka Power Plant, No.1 JERA (Tokyo Electric Power and Assessment in
35 Kanagawa 650 2023 USC 3,630 749
Industries Co., Mitsubishi Corp.) (tentative) Chugoku Electric Power) progress
7 Fukushima Soma energy park Soma Energy Park LLC 112 4/2018 Operating Unknown 672 Yokosuka Power Plant. No.2 JERA(Tokyo Electric Power and Assessment in

36 Kanagawa 650 2024 USC 3,630 749
Meinan Kyodo Energy Co. (Meiko (tentative) Chugoku Electric Power) progress
8 Aichi Meinan Kyodo Energy Trans Co., Seika Corp., Japan Energy 31 2/2018 Trial operation Sub-C 187 Chiba Coal Power (Chugoku Electric Assessment in
37 Chiba (tentative) Soga Coal Power 1,070 2024 USC 6,420
Partners) Power, JFE Steel Corporation) progress
Hibikinada Energy Park (Orix Corp., Under Nishiokinoyama No.2 Yamaguchi Ube Power (J-Power, Assessment in
9 Fukushima Hibikinada Energy Park 112 7/2018 Unknown 682 610 38 Yamaguchi 600 2025 USC 3,600
Hokuzai Transport) construction (tentative) Osaka Gas, Ube Industries) progress
Nippon Paper Akita Power Under Chiba Sodegaura Energy (Kyushu
10 Akita Nippon Paper Industries Co. 112 10/2018 Unknown 763 864 Chiba Sodegaura No.1 Assessment in
Plant construction 39 Chiba Electric Power, Idemitsu Kosan, Tokyo 1,000 2025 USC 6,000
Hibikinada thermal power Hibikinada thermal power plant (IDI Under Gas)
11 Fukuoka 112 2/2019 Unknown 584 600
plant Infrastructures) construction Chiba Sodegaura Energy (Kyushu
Chiba Sodegaura No.2 Assessment in
Air Water & Energia Power Yamaguchi 40 Chiba Electric Power, Idemitsu Kosan, Tokyo 1,000 2026 USC 6,000
Hofu Biomass-coal mixed Under (tentative) progress
12 Yamaguchi Corporation (Chugoku Electric Power, 112 7/2019 Unknown 672 Gas)
Power Plant construction
Air Water Inc.) Steam
Under Turbine (other
13 Hiroshima Takehara New No.1 J-POWER 600 6/2020 USC 3,160 766 41 Miyazaki Unknown Asahi Kasei Chemicals Co. 60 3/2018 Planning 360
construction than Sub-C/
Under SC/USC)
14 Akita Noshiro No.3 Tohoku Electric Power 600 6/2020 USC 3,140 797 Planning
construction
Under 42 Chiba Unknown Kansai Electric Power 1,000 unknown (no official Unknown 6,000
15 Nagasaki Matsuura No.2 Kyushu Electric Power 1,000 6/2020 USC 6,000 announcement)
construction
Kashima Power (J-Power, Nippon Steel Under Soma Kyodo Power Company (TEPCO, Planning
16 Ibaraki Kashima No.2 645 7/2020 USC 3,439 767 43 Fukushima Unknown Chubu Electric Power, Tohoku Electric 1,000 unknown (no official Unknown 6,000
& Sumikin Stainless Steel Corp.) construction
Fukushima Revitalization Power Power) announcement)
Consortium (Mitsubishi Corp. Power, 44 Hyogo Ako No.1 Kansai Electric Power 600 2020 Canceled SC 3,350 800
Under 45 Hyogo Ako No.2 Kansai Electric Power 600 2020 Canceled SC 3,350
17 Fukushima IGCC Nakoso Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi 540 9/2020 IGCC 2,620 652
construction
Electric, Tokyo Electric Power, Joban Sendaiko-Takamatsu Power
46 Miyagi Sumitomo Corp. 112 2021 Canceled Sub-C 672 600
Joint Power Co.) Plant (tentative)
Fukushima Revitalization Power 47 Hyogo Takasago New-No.1 J-POWER 600 2021 Canceled USC 4,050 770
Consortium (Mitsubishi Corporation Under Ichihara Thermal Power Generation
18 Fukushima IGCC Hirono 540 9/2021 IGCC 2,620 652
Power, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, construction 48 Chiba Ichihara Godo Kaisha (KENES, Tonen General 1,000 2024 Canceled USC 6,000
Mitsubishi Electric, Tokyo Electric) Sekiyu)
Under 49 Hyogo Takasago New-No.2 J-POWER 600 2027 Canceled USC 4,050 770
19 Aichi Taketoyo No.5 Chubu Electric Power 1,070 3/2022 USC 5,690 758
construction Ofunato Biomass combustion
Tokuyama East Power TKE3 (Tokuyama, Marubeni, Tokyo Under 50 Iwate Maeda Corp. 112 Unknown Canceled Unknown 423 472
20 Yamaguchi 300 4/2022 Unknown 1,800 706 plant
Generation No.3 Century) construction
Under *1 List No. 1 to 8 are included as existing power plants in this paper as they have already started
21 Shimane Misumi No.2 Chugoku Electric Power 1,000 11/2022 USC 5,377 767
construction
operation.
Kamisu Power (Marubeni、 Kanden Under
22 Ibaraki Kamisu Power station 112 2018 Unknown 672
Energy Solution) construction
Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Tracker (as of September 2018)
Under
23 Ibaraki Hitachinaka Kyodo No.1 Hitachinaka Generation (JERA) 650 2020 USC 3,680 760
construction
24 Hyogo Kobe Power Plant No.3 Kobelco Power Kobe-2 650 2021 Under USC 3,460 760
Under
25 Hyogo Kobe Power Plant No.4 Kobelco Power Kobe-2 650 2022 USC 3,460
construction
20 21
Appendix II. The Number of Existing Power Plants Idemitsu Kosan Co. 28
(Comparison between governmental Electric Power Statistics and Kiko Network research) (*1,2,3) Erex New Energy 1 18
Nippon Paper Industries
Electric Power Statistics (Govʼt) 1 149 1 1 149
Research by Kiko Network Ishinomaki Energy Center
(April 2018) Suzukawa Energy Center 1 112 1 1 112
Company/Operator
Number of Maximum capacity Number of Maximum Soma energy park LLC 1 112 1 1 112
Units
plants (MW) plants capacity (MW) Sendai Power Station 1 112 1 1 112
J-POWER 7 8,162 7 15 8,162 Mizushima Energy Center 1 112 1 1 112
TEPCO Fuel & Power (*1) 1 3,200 2 4 3,200 Hofu Energy Service Co.,
Chubu Electric Power 1 4,100 1 5 4,100 1 80 1 1 80
Ltd.
Tohoku Electric Power 2 3,200 2 4 3,200 Osaki Cool Gen 1 166 1 1 166
Soma Kyodo Power Nakayama Nagoya Kyodo
1 2,000 1 2 2,000 1 110
Company Hatsuden
Hokkaido Electric Power 3 2,250 3 7 2,250 Summit Handa Power
Hokuriku Electric Power 0 0
2 2,900 3 6 2,900 Corporation
Company Able Energy 1 112
Kyusyu Electric Power 3 2,460 3 4 2,460 Total (*4) 91 46,766 70 117 44,119
Chugoku Electric Power 3 2,590 5 6 2,581
Joban Kyodo Power *1 The government's Electric Power Statistics (Agency for Natural Resources and Energy) do not
1 1,700 1 4 1,700
Company disclose the number of units in each power plant. Also, in some cases, the number of power plants and
Kansai Electric Power 1 1,800 1 2 1,800
Shikoku Electric Power 2 1,106 3 4 1,106
maximum output for some plants do not match other statistics or information released by companies.

Kobelco Power Kobe 1 1,400 1 2 1,400 For example, TEPCO Fuel & Power has two coal power plants, Hitachinaka and Hirono, but the
Nippon Steel & Sumitomo government statistics only count them as one. The government's count of Hokuriku Electric and
5 1,295 5 5 1,295
Metal Co.
Sumitomo Joint Electric Chugoku Electric power plants also do not match with research by Kiko Network.
3 580 2 5 580
Power *2 No information publically available can be found about the existence and condition of power plants
Ube Industries 2 414 2 3 418
colored in pink, mainly of paper and pulp companies, so those plants are not included in this report. If
Sakata Kyodo Power
1 700 1 2 700
Company they were all included, they would amount to a total additional capacity of 2,647 MW.
Tobata Co-operative *3 Power plants colored in blue are plants planned in 2012 or later and are monitored as “new plants”
0 415 1 3 415
Thermal Power
Okinawa Electric Power 2 752 2 4 752 under the Japan Coal Plant Tracker (https://sekitan.jp/plant-map/en). However, those are included in
Miike Power 1 175 1 1 175 this phase-out plan as they had already started operating as of April 2018.
Sumitomo Osaka Cement 2 225 2 3 225
*4 The power plants in this report cover 94.5% of the capacity reported in the government's Electric Power
Nippon Steel & Sumikin
2 105 1 2 106
Stainless Steel Corporation Statistics.
Meikai power company 1 147 1 1 147
Mitsubishi Chemical
1 141 1 1 147
Corporation
Summit Onahama S Power
1 56 1 1 50
Corp.
Erex New Energy, Saeki 1 45 1 1 50
Mombetsu Biomass Electric
1 50 1 1 50
Power Co.
Asahi Kasei NS Energy 1 50 1 1 50
Tosa Power 1 167 1 1 167
Itoigawa Power Company 1 149 1 1 149
Nakayama Nagoya power
2 259 1 1 149
company
Tokuyama 2 552 2 5 552
Nippon Paper Industries 8 916 1 1 80
Daicel Corp. 1 89 1 1 50
Daio Paper Corporation 1 519
Oji Paper Co. 1 268
Marusumi Paper Co. 2 189
Mitsubishi Materials
2 115
Corporation
Oji Materia Corporation 4 247
MCM Energy Service Co 2 131
Mitsubishi Paper Mills
1 58
Limited
Taiheiyo Cement
1 50
Corporation
Rengo Co. 1 41
22 23
Appendix II. The Number of Existing Power Plants Idemitsu Kosan Co. 28
(Comparison between governmental Electric Power Statistics and Kiko Network research) (*1,2,3) Erex New Energy 1 18
Nippon Paper Industries
Electric Power Statistics (Govʼt) 1 149 1 1 149
Research by Kiko Network Ishinomaki Energy Center
(April 2018) Suzukawa Energy Center 1 112 1 1 112
Company/Operator
Number of Maximum capacity Number of Maximum Soma energy park LLC 1 112 1 1 112
Units
plants (MW) plants capacity (MW) Sendai Power Station 1 112 1 1 112
J-POWER 7 8,162 7 15 8,162 Mizushima Energy Center 1 112 1 1 112
TEPCO Fuel & Power (*1) 1 3,200 2 4 3,200 Hofu Energy Service Co.,
Chubu Electric Power 1 4,100 1 5 4,100 1 80 1 1 80
Ltd.
Tohoku Electric Power 2 3,200 2 4 3,200 Osaki Cool Gen 1 166 1 1 166
Soma Kyodo Power Nakayama Nagoya Kyodo
1 2,000 1 2 2,000 1 110
Company Hatsuden
Hokkaido Electric Power 3 2,250 3 7 2,250 Summit Handa Power
Hokuriku Electric Power 0 0
2 2,900 3 6 2,900 Corporation
Company Able Energy 1 112
Kyusyu Electric Power 3 2,460 3 4 2,460 Total (*4) 91 46,766 70 117 44,119
Chugoku Electric Power 3 2,590 5 6 2,581
Joban Kyodo Power *1 The government's Electric Power Statistics (Agency for Natural Resources and Energy) do not
1 1,700 1 4 1,700
Company disclose the number of units in each power plant. Also, in some cases, the number of power plants and
Kansai Electric Power 1 1,800 1 2 1,800
Shikoku Electric Power 2 1,106 3 4 1,106
maximum output for some plants do not match other statistics or information released by companies.

Kobelco Power Kobe 1 1,400 1 2 1,400 For example, TEPCO Fuel & Power has two coal power plants, Hitachinaka and Hirono, but the
Nippon Steel & Sumitomo government statistics only count them as one. The government's count of Hokuriku Electric and
5 1,295 5 5 1,295
Metal Co.
Sumitomo Joint Electric Chugoku Electric power plants also do not match with research by Kiko Network.
3 580 2 5 580
Power *2 No information publically available can be found about the existence and condition of power plants
Ube Industries 2 414 2 3 418
colored in pink, mainly of paper and pulp companies, so those plants are not included in this report. If
Sakata Kyodo Power
1 700 1 2 700
Company they were all included, they would amount to a total additional capacity of 2,647 MW.
Tobata Co-operative *3 Power plants colored in blue are plants planned in 2012 or later and are monitored as “new plants”
0 415 1 3 415
Thermal Power
Okinawa Electric Power 2 752 2 4 752 under the Japan Coal Plant Tracker (https://sekitan.jp/plant-map/en). However, those are included in
Miike Power 1 175 1 1 175 this phase-out plan as they had already started operating as of April 2018.
Sumitomo Osaka Cement 2 225 2 3 225
*4 The power plants in this report cover 94.5% of the capacity reported in the government's Electric Power
Nippon Steel & Sumikin
2 105 1 2 106
Stainless Steel Corporation Statistics.
Meikai power company 1 147 1 1 147
Mitsubishi Chemical
1 141 1 1 147
Corporation
Summit Onahama S Power
1 56 1 1 50
Corp.
Erex New Energy, Saeki 1 45 1 1 50
Mombetsu Biomass Electric
1 50 1 1 50
Power Co.
Asahi Kasei NS Energy 1 50 1 1 50
Tosa Power 1 167 1 1 167
Itoigawa Power Company 1 149 1 1 149
Nakayama Nagoya power
2 259 1 1 149
company
Tokuyama 2 552 2 5 552
Nippon Paper Industries 8 916 1 1 80
Daicel Corp. 1 89 1 1 50
Daio Paper Corporation 1 519
Oji Paper Co. 1 268
Marusumi Paper Co. 2 189
Mitsubishi Materials
2 115
Corporation
Oji Materia Corporation 4 247
MCM Energy Service Co 2 131
Mitsubishi Paper Mills
1 58
Limited
Taiheiyo Cement
1 50
Corporation
Rengo Co. 1 41
22 23
Published by: Kiko Network https://www.kikonet.org
November 2018
Tokyo Ofﬁce 6F, Ichibancho-Murakami Bldg., 9-7, Ichibancho,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0082, JAPAN
TEL: +81-3-3263-9210 FAX: +81-3-3263-9463 E-mail: [email protected]
Kyoto Ofﬁce #305 Takakura Bldg. Takakura-dori, Shijo-agaru,
Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8124, JAPAN
TEL: +81-75-254-1011 FAX: +81-75-254-1012 E-mail: [email protected]
Authors: Kimiko Hirata, Hiroshi Ito

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Japan Coal

Japan Coal Phase-Out:

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Japan Coal Phase-Out:

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Figure 1. Electricity Production in Japan

(2) Deluge of coal plant construction plans after TEPCO's

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Figure 1. Electricity Production in Japan

(2) Deluge of coal plant construction plans after TEPCO's

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

In addition, information disclosure is extremely poor regarding actual operations, including

Figure 3. Capacity of Coal Power Plants in Japan (existing + new, no retirements)

Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Track

Cpapacity (MW) No.

Figure 2. Existing Coal Power Plants (by years in operation)

Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Tracker

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

In addition, information disclosure is extremely poor regarding actual operations, including

Figure 3. Capacity of Coal Power Plants in Japan (existing + new, no retirements)

Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Track

Cpapacity (MW) No.

Figure 2. Existing Coal Power Plants (by years in operation)

Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Tracker

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

(2) Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

plants by 2025, and the Ultra-Supercritical (USC) plants by 2030.

Figure 5. Schedule for Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan

CO2 emissions Phase-out period

(2) Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

plants by 2025, and the Ultra-Supercritical (USC) plants by 2030.

Figure 5. Schedule for Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan

CO2 emissions Phase-out period

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Tokuyama Central Nippon Steel &

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Tokuyama Central Nippon Steel &

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

█ Massive introduction of renewable energy

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

█ Massive introduction of renewable energy

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

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