Japan to Seek Increased Use of Alternative Power Sources

Tokyo, Jan. 26 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has drafted a plan for increasing Japanese electric power firms’ use of alternative energy sources, informed sources told Jiji Press on Friday.

At present, the firms have been asked to increase their procurement of power generated by solar energy, wind and other environment-friendly sources to 12.2 billion kilowatt-hours by fiscal 2010, equivalent to 1.35 pct of their projected electricity sales in the year.

Under the draft plan, they will be requested to raise the procurement further to 16 billion kilowatt-hours by fiscal 2014, the sources said. As a result, the ratio of the alternative source- derived power would rise to 1.63 pct.

The plan, partly aimed at reducing dependence on oil, will be presented to the industry at a meeting of a ministry panel on Monday.END

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