New Energy Power Generation
Japan
Overview
(millions of U.S. $) 2004 2005 2006(estimated)
Total Market Size 3,361 3,475 3,813
Total Local Production 5,325 6,603 6,691
Total Exports 2,241 3,398 3,426
Total Imports 277 270 548
Imports from the U.S. 9 17 16
(Note: The above statistics are unofficial US&FCS estimates.)
In this report, the term “New Energy Power Generation” refers to wind, photovoltaic, waste, and biomass power generation. On June 4, 2002, Japan ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Based on the Kyoto Protocol, Japan is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in the year 2010 to a level six percent lower than it recorded in 1990. To secure this reduction, the Japanese government has set an ambitious goal to increase new energy power generation levels by tenfold over 1999 levels. To accomplish this, the Japanese government enacted the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) Law in June 2002 and provides industrial subsidies for new energy development. The RPS law requires Japanese electric utilities to use renewable energy sources for a certain percentage of their sales. The RPS mandate has generated a flurry of activity by utilities to ensure compliance with this new policy target.
Best Products/Services
Best products include products and services related to wind power, photovoltaic power, biomass.
Opportunities
Private entities or municipal governments that are not covered by World Trade Organization (WTO) government procurement agreements conduct many new energy power generation projects. Therefore, most of these projects are closed to the public for bidding purposes. However, by partnering with Japanese firms and through continued efforts, U.S. companies should be able to increase their market share.
Resources
CS Japan Contact: Mr. Kenji Kobayashi (Tokyo) Kenji.Kobayashi@mail.doc.gov
Useful Websites:
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)