Government to review coal-fired power plant exports ― To be reflected in the framework of “Infrastructure Systems Export Strategy” presented in June.
The government will consider to review the requirements for the coal-fired power plant exports.
Relevant ministries such as MOE (The Ministry of the Environment), METI (The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), and MOF (The Ministry of Finance) have agreed to start discussions. It will be reflected in the framework of “Export Strategy for Infrastructure Systems” presented in June. Export requirements for the coal-fired power plants are stipulated in the Basic Energy Plan. In terms of energy security and economics, The government supports the countries, where coal-fired power plants are only the choice, under the condition that the plant is more efficient than that with the Ultra Super Critical Pressure (USC). The government will further the study in strict base in consideration of the criticism toward coal-fired power from overseas.
Mr. Shinjiro Koizumi, Minister of the Environment announced the plan at the subcommittee of the House of Representatives Budget Committee on 25th February. He stressed at the press conference afterwards, “Although MOE has no direct jurisdiction over the energy policy, Minister of the Environment is forefront of the COP (Conference of the Parties, UNFCCC)) and the advanced efforts shouldn’t be overshadowed by the international criticism on coal-fired power plants. MOE expects establishment of the panel of experts in the future and continues to discuss with relevant ministries and agencies based on this. MOE also considers this to be reflected in the next Basic Energy Plan which will be reviewed into full swings from next year. The current Basic Energy Plan defines four requirements, such as that the facilities should be higher than USC in exporting to countries where coal-fired power plants are only the choice in choice and that the coal-fired power plant project should be consistent with the climate change measures of the counterpart country.
Although the government’s review on the Export Strategy for Infrastructure Systems is scheduled in December this year, it will be finalized in the phase of the framework study in order to be in time for COP26 in November. The next strategy shows the policy after FY2021.
What the minister of MOE. Mr. Koizumi, considered as trigger of the issue was the Bun An – 2 power plant in Vietnam planned by Mitsubishi Corporation through its subsidiary. He concerned about the fact that Chinese and American companies will be responsible for the actual construction. However, he stated at the press conference on 25th February that it is the matter to be discussed at the Japan-Vietnam Summit Meeting and only said “the government decided to provide with public support.”