Final energy consumption decreased by 2.7% in FY2018 ー Non-fossil energy increased for six consecutive years

Final energy consumption decreased by 2.7% in FY2018 ー Non-fossil energy increased for six consecutive years

On April 14th, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Agency for Natural Resources and Energy compiled and announced the analyzed results of the energy supply and demand in FY2018 (confirmed report).
Final energy consumption decreased by 2.7% from FY2017 to 13,124 peta-joules. It was decreased in all major sectors, especially in the household sector which was affected by the warm winter and fell sharply compared to the FY2017 in the severe winter. Electricity decreased by 2.0% and city gas decreased by 3.3% as for by energy source.

As for the final energy consumption by sector, it decreased by 2.1% for industries and buildings, etc., 7.8% for households, and 1.2% for transportation. Reduction in the production of steel and ethylene, and the progress of energy conservation affected those decrease.

Primary energy supply (total of the domestic production volume and import quantity minus the export volumes) decreased by 1.8%. Fossil fuels have decreased for the fifth consecutive year, while renewable energy and non-fossil energy such as nuclear power have increased for the sixth consecutive year.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy sources decreased by 4.6% to 1.059 billion tons for the fifth consecutive year. It decreased by 14.2% compared to FY2013. Companies and offices decreased by 4.1%, households by 11.1%, and transportation by 1.4% as for by sector.

The dependence of fossil energy on primary energy supply was 85.5%, down 2.0 points from FY2017. The energy self-sufficiency ratio (IEA basis) increased by 2.3 points to 11.8%.

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) announced on April 14th that the revised value of domestic greenhouse gas emissions in FY2018 was estimated to be 1,240 million tons, a decrease of 3.9% from the previous year which is the lowest since the start of the statistics.
It was fifth consecutive year decrease. MOE analyzed that carbon dioxide (CO2) emission from energy sources declined due to the decrease in electricity demand for warm winter, the expansion of introduction of renewable energy, and the restart of nuclear power plants. It is decreased by 12.0% compared to FY2013 which is the base year for the reduction target set by the government.