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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Japan 2003
…in Japanese energy policy, but the government’s objective of increasing nuclear generation has been impeded by safety-related incidents in recent years. It is vital to restore public confidence, to clarify the role of nuclear power in the liberalised electricity market and to improve the performance of the existing nuclear units.
Japan has begun to reform its electricity and natural gas markets, but little competition has developed. The report finds helpful new government measures to further reform markets, but points out that the markets should be closely monitored. More effective measures may be necessary if competition does not develop. -
Japan 2021
…significant disruption to its energy supply, Japan has made visible progress towards realising its vision of an efficient, resilient and sustainable energy system.
It has diversified its energy mix and embarked on a major reform of its electricity and natural gas markets. The gradual expansion of renewable energy sources, restart of some nuclear power plants and improvements in energy efficiency have reduced the need for imported fossil fuels and lowered greenhouse gas emissions below their 2009 level.
Nevertheless, the carbon intensity of Japan’s energy supply remains one of the highest among IEA members. It will need to move quickly…
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Developing China's Natural Gas Market
…an increasing recognition of the many advantages of natural gas and by the need to diversify its coal-dominated energy supply, China’s natural gas industry is poised for rapid expansion. This study describes China’s gas market situation and examines the key issues facing its industry and policy makers. Drawing on the experiences and lessons from developed gas markets around the world and taking into account the specific circumstances of the Chinese gas market, it also offers a number of policy suggestions for the Chinese government to consider in its effort to boost the country’s natural gas industry…
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Partner Country Series - Gas Pricing: China’s Challenges and IEA Experience
Partner Country Series - Gas Pricing: China’s Challenges and IEA Experience In line with its aim to meet growing energy demand while shifting away from coal, the People's Republic of China set an ambitious goal of doubling its use of natural gas from 2011 levels by 2015. Prospects as of 2012 were good for significant new supplies – both domestic and imported, conventional and unconventional – to come online in the medium term, but notable challenges remained, particularly concerning gas pricing and the institutional and regulatory landscape. While China’s circumstances are, in many respects unique, some current issues are similar…
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Implementing Clean Energy Transitions
…impact of the road transport sector on energy demand, CO2 emissions and air pollution in several selected major emerging economies over the coming decades under several IEA modelling scenarios. Most notably the Announced Pledges Scenario (APS) aims to show to what extent announced ambitions and targets, including the most recent ones, are on the path to deliver emissions reductions required to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.Bringing about a road transport decarbonisation pathway in line with the APS in the selected major emerging economies - Brazil, People’s Republic of China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa - will require significant…
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Building a Unified National Power Market System in China
…steps towards implementing markets, and the goals announced in 2020 of carbon dioxide emissions peaking before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060 have added momentum to expand their footprint. Provinces have taken a leading role in designing and implementing markets. To improve sharing of resources, the guidance to implement a unified national market system pushes for more co-ordination between provinces.The main audience of this report is policy makers in China and all experts intending to contribute to power sector reforms. Other readers will also find information on how the power sector and, in particular, power markets operate today…
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The Role of Gas in Today's Energy Transitions
…to natural gas, to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and air pollutants. Four case studies, covering the United States, the European Union, the People’s Republic of China, and India, reveal the various opportunities, hurdles and limits of fuel switching as a way to address environmental challenges. Natural gas is one of the mainstays of global energy. Where it replaces more polluting fuels, it improves air quality and limits emissions of carbon dioxide. In this analysis, we explore how widespread and durable this role might be in some of today's key energy markets. The Role of Gas in Today…
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Gas Resiliency Assessment of Japan 2016
…improve the resiliency of Japan. In the energy system of Japan gas plays an important role, particularly so after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, to compensate for the loss of nuclear power generation, which collapsed in 2014. Given its high import dependency, Japan has developed a robust natural gas security of supply policy.The challenges around security of gas supply are rapidly evolving. The traditional view of gas as a stand-alone fuel is becoming less relevant. With increasing gas market globalisation and greater interdependencies between gas and the rest of the energy system, shocks in one sector or…
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China's Power Sector Reforms: Where to next?
China's Power Sector Reforms: Where to next? In 2005, China added the equivalent of all the power plants in Norway and Sweden to its electricity generating capacity - and its remarkable demand growth shows no sign of abating. But how can the government best assure affordable and environmentally sustainable electricity supply in the future? Assessing the current state of electricity regulation in China, this report draws on experience elsewhere to explore how better to develop and communicate strategy, how to moderate growth in demand through increased efficiency, how to integrate environmental goals into planning and operation, how to ensure sufficient…
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Oil and Gas Emergency Policy: Japan 2013 update
Oil and Gas Emergency Policy: Japan 2013 update Oil remains the most significant energy source in Japan, accounting for some 45% of the country’s total primary energy supply in 2011. The transport sector represented around 38% of total consumption in 2010, while the industry sector accounted for 30%. A significant proportion of the industry sector’s oil demand comes from the chemical industry. The country has 27 operational refineries with a total crude distillation capacity of around 4.5 mb/d. Japan meets its 90-day stockholding obligation to the IEA by holding government emergency stocks and by placing…