Today, Japan’s power sector is in the middle of a sea change. This shift is driven by the overwhelming bipartisan priorities of lowering carbon emissions and increasing energy security. The nation is increasing the profile and pace of its energy transition. Specifically, it’s betting heavily on offshore wind, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, and a renaissance in nuclear energy. This key strategic change is very much in line with Japan’s long-term plan for sustainability and energy resilience.
In 2024, renewable energy sources made up 30.9% of Japan’s total power capacity. This percentage is a testament to the earnest efforts taking place across the country to expand adoption of more renewable, cleaner energy. Thermal energy has, for decades, been the predominant force in Japan’s energy mix. In fact, it accounted for 48% of cumulative capacity that year. Large hydropower and pumped storage added another 12.5%, while nuclear energy was at 8.5%.
Japan’s government has adopted ambitious long-term targets to reinforce the sustained build-out of new, clean capacity. These targets form the backbone of the country’s 10-year strategy. By 2050, the country intends to strike an equilibrium between ambiguous goals of energy security, affordability, and decarbonization. Offshore wind energy is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing technologies under this framework.
As of 2020, Japan’s installed offshore wind capacity was a paltry 59 megawatts (MW). According to projections, this sector is expected to experience major growth. By the end of this decade, we’re anticipating a huge expansion of our offshore wind capacity, jumping up to 5.9 gigawatts (GW). By 2035, it will be an enviable 16.7 GW! This expected growth is being fueled by government-backed truck auctions and regulatory reforms. Those investments are going towards accelerating the development of port infrastructure to support deploying offshore wind projects at a much larger scale.
Japan’s offshore wind capacity is increasing quickly. In the meantime, the country’s renewable energy landscape is about to change dramatically. By 2035, renewable capacity outside of Japan is expected to make up 49.5% of the total. Thermal capacity is forecasted to decrease to 33.2%. At the same time, nuclear power’s contribution will fall even more – to 7.2% of total generation.
These moves are further evidence that Japan remains intent on increasing its energy independence. Simultaneously, the country is addressing climate change by pursuing a more varied energy mix. The transition towards renewable energy sources is not only a response to domestic requirements but an alignment with global sustainability trends.