Tag - energy

 
 

ENERGY

Steam rises from a geothermal plan in Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture. Despite its long history and potential, geothermal provided just 0.3% of Japan's overall energy mix in the fiscal year from April 2023
ENVIRONMENT / Energy / OUR PLANET
Dec 22, 2024
Is Japan finally ready to tap its abundant geothermal energy potential?
Japan boasts the world’s third-largest potential supply of geothermal energy, but this renewable energy resource has mostly been untapped.
China’s solar industry is seeking to emulate OPEC’s cartel model, but differences in technological innovation, market dynamics and centralized control by Beijing complicate such efforts.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 20, 2024
An OPEC for solar power isn’t going to work
Geological advantages are perpetual, but technological advantages can quickly become obsolete.
The average retail gasoline price is expected to rise by over ¥5 per liter as the government has announced that it will reduce subsidies to oil wholesalers.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 19, 2024
Gasoline prices rise as Japanese government cuts subsidies
Until now the industry ministry has subsidized 60% of gasoline costs over ¥168 and under ¥185, but from Thursday the subsidy dropped to 30% for prices in that range.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami reviews military equipment during an IRGC ground forces military drill in the Aras area, East Azerbaijan province, Iran, on Oct. 17, 2022.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 18, 2024
Iran's Revolutionary Guards extend control of oil exports, sources say
All aspects of the oil business have come under the growing influence of the Guards.
The entrance of the Sodegaura LNG Terminal, operated by Tokyo Gas, in Sodegaura, Chiba Prefecture
ENVIRONMENT / Energy
Dec 18, 2024
Japan's draft climate strategy spurs calls for bolder cuts in carbon emissions
The government last month presented a draft plan to aim for a 60% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 from 2013 levels.
Japan wants renewable energy to account for around 40% to 50% of its electricity mix by fiscal year 2040 with nuclear power taking up another 20%, according to a new energy plan released Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 17, 2024
Japan aims to expand nuclear power in break from Fukushima era
The nation set out a proposed new energy strategy which urges both nuclear and renewables to be utilized to maintain growth and help curb emissions.
Yoon Suk-Yeol speaks to the nation at the Presidential Office on Dec. 7.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 17, 2024
Martial law fiasco casts doubt over South Korea's nuclear power push
Stocks related to the nuclear sector have already suffered losses due to souring investor sentiment since the political crisis began.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture. A government cost estimate shows that nuclear power is likely to be the cheapest baseload electricity source in Japan in 2040.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 16, 2024
Japan sees nuclear as cheapest baseload power source in 2040
A previous study published in 2021 saw LNG-fired power plants as the cheapest power source in 2030.
India has the most steelmaking capacity under development in the world, surpassing even China.
BUSINESS
Dec 16, 2024
A booming and coal-heavy steel sector risks India’s green goals
India is the world’s third-largest emitter and the rate at which it can decarbonize will have a major impact on global climate efforts.
Industry ministry officials hold a briefing session for residents over the planned restart of reactors at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, on Sunday.
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2024
Government seeks local understanding for nuclear plant restart
Officials from the industry ministry are explaining plans to allow the restart of reactors whose safety has been confirmed.
Crystal Smith, the elected chief of the Haisla people, stands on the shoreline of the Douglas Channel in Kitamaat, British Columbia, Canada, on Oct. 1.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Dec 15, 2024
Indigenous people in Canada weigh costs of a gas windfall
The promise of billions of dollars of gas investment has renewed a generations-old debate over Indigenous identity and environmental stewardship.
The Stratos direct air capture facility, a joint venture between Occidental Petroleum and asset manager BlackRock, in Ector County, Texas
ENVIRONMENT / Energy / ANALYSIS
Dec 14, 2024
Earthquakes and blowouts undermine case for carbon storage in Texas
Texas has seen surging interest from companies hoping to bury carbon dioxide in its oilfields.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visits the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 14, 2024
Ishiba makes first visit as PM to crippled Fukushima No. 1 plant
The trip was apparently intended to demonstrate his administration's focus on revitalizing the disaster-hit Tohoku region.
Cables connect to servers at a data center. The rapid global adoption of AI has triggered a boom in demand for the energy-hungry data centers on which the technology depends, putting power grids to the test.
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2024
Fossil fuels initially needed for AI boom, Tepco adviser says
While electricity demand has been trending downward in Japan, experts have suggested that the decline could be reversed as the nation builds more data centers.
A liquefied natural gas plant operated by Sakhalin Energy in Sakhalin, Russia. Japan, the world's second biggest LNG buyer, depends on Russia for 9% of its LNG.
BUSINESS / Companies / ANALYSIS
Dec 12, 2024
Rival supplies and depleting fields give Japan an exit from Russian gas
Japan, the world's second-biggest liquefied natural gas buyer, depends on Russia for 9% of its LNG.
Possible new sanctions on Russian oil highlight how Biden’s team is more willing to take risks in confronting Russia as it prepares to depart.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 11, 2024
U.S. mulls new Russia oil sanctions to weaken Putin ahead of Trump
The European Union is planning similar measures on Russia’s shadow fleet before the end of the year.
Surging development costs, supply chain issues and higher inflation have heavily weighed on the offshore wind sector in recent years.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 9, 2024
BP and JERA to combine offshore wind operations in joint venture
The 50-50 venture, called JERA Nex BP, will include operating assets and development projects with a potential generation capacity of 13 gigawatts.
The Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2024
IAEA team arrives in Japan for third review of N-plant water release
The mission will conduct safety inspections and meet government and Tepco officials.
Kansai Electric Power's Takahama nuclear power plant's No.1 reactor (right) in Fukui Prefecture, which surpassed 50 years of operation in November. On the left is the No. 2 reactor.
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2024
Renewables eyed as biggest source of Japan's energy mix in fiscal 2040
The government is also expected to aim for a 20% share for nuclear energy as part of efforts toward decarbonization.
Chugoku Electric Power Company's Shimane nuclear power plant
JAPAN
Dec 7, 2024
Chugoku Electric restarts Shimane reactor for first time in 13 years
The long-delayed restart of the reactor, which was shut down in January 2012, boosts the number of Japan's operational reactors to 14.

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The sun shines from behind a waving Philippine flag at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
Eighty years after the Battle of Manila, old foes forge new ties