Japan

Plans to tap the heat powering volcanoes as an alternative to nuclear energy.

Reforms will be first major overhaul since the early 1950s.

Wins license to buy and sell electricity in the nation’s wholesale power market.

Will also eliminate restrictions on pricing as early as 2018.

Dialogue promoted cooperation in the use of coal for power generation.

Huge reserves of methane hydrate off its coast to last for a century.

Will outstrip the USA by installing 5 gigawatts of new solar power capacity.

New RE capacity added in the nine months to December 2012.

Action sends clear signal that nuclear power will remain in national energy mix.

Two-thirds of Japan’s 50 reactors to re-start in the next few years.

Complying with new rules will cost US$10.9 billion.

Shikoku Electric Power Company wants a 10.94% electricity rate hike.

This to boost boost renewable energy use.

The months of November and December saw a huge influx of FIT applications submitted to METI and the respective Utility Companies. Reason behind was the fact that the first revision of the current FIT is due by end of March 2013, after which the new tariffs will become effective from April onward. Considering an application period around 3 months, makes end of December a cutoff date to secure the current rates.

Idemitsu to do biomass power generation

Both countries sign an agreement that could pave the way for more nuclear plants in the future.