Japan Coal
Phase-Out:The Path to Phase-Out by2030

Summary: Japan should completely phase out coal by 2030.
█

Coal-fired power generation emits more carbon dioxide (CO2) than any other method ofgenerating electricity. In order to achieve net zero emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs)
as called for under the Paris Agreement, it is crucial to quickly decarbonize our energy

Japan Coal Phase-Out:sources. According to several research reports, that means we need to completely phaseout coal power plants, which obviously means halting new coal plant construction and also
strategically retiring existing plants. For coal-fired power generation in Japan, the country

The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

must cancel all current planning for new construction, and also retire all existing coal
power plants by 2030█

There were 117 units at existing coal power plants in Japan as of April 2018, based onJapan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

government statistics and publicly available information, and this number includes manyolder and inefficient plants that have been operating over 40 years.

Contents█

The Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan presents a schedule to gradually retire all 117 units

Summary-------------------------------------------------------------------------------p3

at existing coal power plants in Japan by 2030, starting with the oldest operating and least

Main Report

efficient plants. This plan is entirely achievable without threatening the electrical power

1. Status of Coal Power Generation in Japan-------------------------------p4

supply and without relying on nuclear power, if we take into account for the available(1) Coal power generation rose steadily since 1980

capacity of LNG and other power generation options, as well as the spread of renewable(2) Deluge of coal plant construction plans after TEPCO's

energy and improvements in energy efficiency.

Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident(3) More than 100 units at existing coal plants█

The total of 117 units includes 8 units among the 50 units planned for new construction in2012 and later, that had already begun operating as of April 2018. This Plan proposes to(4) Total capacity of coal power plants in Japanretire all of them by 2030. Units that had not yet started operating as of April 2018 have

2. Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan--------------------------------------------------p9(1) The need to completely phase out coal power by 2030

not been included in this Plan, based on the premise that their plans should be cancelled(2) Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan

before the units start operating.

(3) Impacts on electrical power supply
3. Implementing the Phase-Out Plan---------------------------------------- p17█

The Japanese government should devise a detailed path for coal retirement as suggested(1) Immediate revision of current policy directions is neededin this report, formulate an official Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan, and give it a high(2) Time to start the discussion

priority as part of a long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategy. With

Appendix I. List of Coal Power Plants Proposed in 2012 or Later----- p20

this plan as a basis, Japan needs to increase its GHG emission reduction targets to match

Appendix II. The number of existing power plants

the Paris Agreement, promote accelerated initiatives for renewables and energy efficiency,(Comparison between governmental Electric Powerand realize the earliest possible transition to a decarbonized society, through a quick

Statistics and Kiko Network research)------------------------------ p22

withdrawal from fossil fuel dependency. The government, companies and operators must

front cover ： Photo by (c)Tomo.Yun

also disclose more data and information, since it is currently difficult to access and verify
the actual situation regarding units at existing plants and the capacity factor of each, etc.

23

Summary: Japan should completely phase out coal by 2030.
█

Coal-fired power generation emits more carbon dioxide (CO2) than any other method ofgenerating electricity. In order to achieve net zero emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs)
as called for under the Paris Agreement, it is crucial to quickly decarbonize our energy

Japan Coal Phase-Out:sources. According to several research reports, that means we need to completely phaseout coal power plants, which obviously means halting new coal plant construction and also
strategically retiring existing plants. For coal-fired power generation in Japan, the country

The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

must cancel all current planning for new construction, and also retire all existing coal
power plants by 2030█

There were 117 units at existing coal power plants in Japan as of April 2018, based onJapan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

government statistics and publicly available information, and this number includes manyolder and inefficient plants that have been operating over 40 years.

Contents█

The Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan presents a schedule to gradually retire all 117 units

Summary-------------------------------------------------------------------------------p3

at existing coal power plants in Japan by 2030, starting with the oldest operating and least

Main Report

efficient plants. This plan is entirely achievable without threatening the electrical power

1. Status of Coal Power Generation in Japan-------------------------------p4

supply and without relying on nuclear power, if we take into account for the available(1) Coal power generation rose steadily since 1980

capacity of LNG and other power generation options, as well as the spread of renewable(2) Deluge of coal plant construction plans after TEPCO's

energy and improvements in energy efficiency.

Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident(3) More than 100 units at existing coal plants█

The total of 117 units includes 8 units among the 50 units planned for new construction in2012 and later, that had already begun operating as of April 2018. This Plan proposes to(4) Total capacity of coal power plants in Japanretire all of them by 2030. Units that had not yet started operating as of April 2018 have

2. Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan--------------------------------------------------p9(1) The need to completely phase out coal power by 2030

not been included in this Plan, based on the premise that their plans should be cancelled(2) Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan

before the units start operating.

(3) Impacts on electrical power supply
3. Implementing the Phase-Out Plan---------------------------------------- p17█

The Japanese government should devise a detailed path for coal retirement as suggested(1) Immediate revision of current policy directions is neededin this report, formulate an official Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan, and give it a high(2) Time to start the discussion

priority as part of a long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategy. With

Appendix I. List of Coal Power Plants Proposed in 2012 or Later----- p20

this plan as a basis, Japan needs to increase its GHG emission reduction targets to match

Appendix II. The number of existing power plants

the Paris Agreement, promote accelerated initiatives for renewables and energy efficiency,(Comparison between governmental Electric Powerand realize the earliest possible transition to a decarbonized society, through a quick

Statistics and Kiko Network research)------------------------------ p22

withdrawal from fossil fuel dependency. The government, companies and operators must

front cover ： Photo by (c)Tomo.Yun

also disclose more data and information, since it is currently difficult to access and verify
the actual situation regarding units at existing plants and the capacity factor of each, etc.

2

3

1

Status of Coal Power Generation in Japan(1) Coal power generation rose steadily since 1980
As Japan's dependency on nuclear power grew after the oil shock in the 1970s, so too did
the amount of electricity generated by burning coal. The government has promoted nuclear
power as a means of addressing climate change, but nuclear power generation peaked in
the late 1990s and since then thermal power generation from the burning of coal andliquefied natural gas (LNG) has grown steadily (Figure 1).

government decided to accelerate environmental assessment processes as replacement
to new plants could only improve in environmental performance.1 The government also
introduced a bidding process for thermal power generation to bring down electricity costs
after the accident.2 This acted as a sign to go ahead with new coal plant construction, which
had at one point been halted under the Kyoto Protocol. Since then, starting with an invitation
to bid for TEPCO's plant, there was a deluge of coal plant construction plans. To deal withprojected coal plant CO2 emissions, an agreement at the level of bureau director between
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment called
for electric utilities to specify targets that matched with national plans, and to indicate theresponsible entities, but so far these conditions do not appear to have had any constraining
effect.3 In addition, Japan's fourth Strategic Energy Plan in 2014 identifies nuclear and coalas “important base load electricity sources,” and with the fifth Strategic Energy Plan in 2018
In the Act Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, METI established separate electricity
generation efficiency standards for new plants and existing plants, and an ordinance for
enforcement of the Act on the Promotion of Use of Non-fossil Energy Sources and Effective
Use of Fossil Energy Materials by Energy Suppliers was amended to require companies toaim for a 44% non-fossil energy source ratio in 2030, but the majority of the 50 new coal
power units raced ahead toward construction and operation without any modifications,and already eight units have started operating. Among the 50, plans for seven units wereannounced to be scrapped at the planning stage due to factors such as local opposition andmanagement decisions in response to changing business conditions, but as of September
30, 2018, this still left 35 units with plans going ahead (see Appendix I on p. 16).5

Figure 1. Electricity Production in Japan
Source: 2018 Annual Report on Energy, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy(2) Deluge of coal plant construction plans after TEPCO's
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident
1

After the March 2011 accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) Fukushima
Daiichi nuclear power plant, governments and power companies made a dramatic shift
toward the construction of coal power plants. In terms of replacing coal plant facilities, the

4

2
3
4
5

Ministry of the Environment (2012) “Guidelines on rationalizing environmental impact assessment methodologies relating tothermal power plant replacement” (in Japanese).
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (2012) “Guidance relating to operation of bidding for new thermal power generation” (inJapanese).
Ministry of the Environment (2013) “Summary of Bureau Directors' meeting on thermal power generation bidding for Tokyo
Electric Power Company” (in Japanese).
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (2018) “Fifth Strategic Energy Plan” (in Japanese).
Kiko Network (2018) “Japan Coal Plant Tracker” (http://sekitan.jp/plant-map/en) “List of proposed plants” (as of April 30, 2018).

5

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

reiterating the same approach, new coal power obtained authorization from the government.4

1

Status of Coal Power Generation in Japan(1) Coal power generation rose steadily since 1980
As Japan's dependency on nuclear power grew after the oil shock in the 1970s, so too did
the amount of electricity generated by burning coal. The government has promoted nuclear
power as a means of addressing climate change, but nuclear power generation peaked in
the late 1990s and since then thermal power generation from the burning of coal andliquefied natural gas (LNG) has grown steadily (Figure 1).

government decided to accelerate environmental assessment processes as replacement
to new plants could only improve in environmental performance.1 The government also
introduced a bidding process for thermal power generation to bring down electricity costs
after the accident.2 This acted as a sign to go ahead with new coal plant construction, which
had at one point been halted under the Kyoto Protocol. Since then, starting with an invitation
to bid for TEPCO's plant, there was a deluge of coal plant construction plans. To deal withprojected coal plant CO2 emissions, an agreement at the level of bureau director between
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment called
for electric utilities to specify targets that matched with national plans, and to indicate theresponsible entities, but so far these conditions do not appear to have had any constraining
effect.3 In addition, Japan's fourth Strategic Energy Plan in 2014 identifies nuclear and coalas “important base load electricity sources,” and with the fifth Strategic Energy Plan in 2018
In the Act Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, METI established separate electricity
generation efficiency standards for new plants and existing plants, and an ordinance for
enforcement of the Act on the Promotion of Use of Non-fossil Energy Sources and Effective
Use of Fossil Energy Materials by Energy Suppliers was amended to require companies toaim for a 44% non-fossil energy source ratio in 2030, but the majority of the 50 new coal
power units raced ahead toward construction and operation without any modifications,and already eight units have started operating. Among the 50, plans for seven units wereannounced to be scrapped at the planning stage due to factors such as local opposition andmanagement decisions in response to changing business conditions, but as of September
30, 2018, this still left 35 units with plans going ahead (see Appendix I on p. 16).5

Figure 1. Electricity Production in Japan
Source: 2018 Annual Report on Energy, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy(2) Deluge of coal plant construction plans after TEPCO's
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident
1

After the March 2011 accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) Fukushima
Daiichi nuclear power plant, governments and power companies made a dramatic shift
toward the construction of coal power plants. In terms of replacing coal plant facilities, the

4

2
3
4
5

Ministry of the Environment (2012) “Guidelines on rationalizing environmental impact assessment methodologies relating tothermal power plant replacement” (in Japanese).
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (2012) “Guidance relating to operation of bidding for new thermal power generation” (inJapanese).
Ministry of the Environment (2013) “Summary of Bureau Directors' meeting on thermal power generation bidding for Tokyo
Electric Power Company” (in Japanese).
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (2018) “Fifth Strategic Energy Plan” (in Japanese).
Kiko Network (2018) “Japan Coal Plant Tracker” (http://sekitan.jp/plant-map/en) “List of proposed plants” (as of April 30, 2018).

5

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

reiterating the same approach, new coal power obtained authorization from the government.4

(3) More than 100 units at existing coal plants(4) Total capacity of coal power plants in Japan

In the preparation of this report, 117 units (44,119 MW) could be identified at existing coal-

The total capacity of existing and newly planned coal plants would amount to 60,209 MW if

fired thermal power plants in Japan based on statistics and company reports (See Appendix

retirement was not considered (Figure 3).

6

II on p. 18). That number includes 22 units (4,205 MW) that had been operating at least 40
years as of April 2018 and some older units approaching sixty years in operation. Meanwhile,
58 units are still relatively new, having operated for less than 20 years (Figure 2). It is also

70,000obvious that there was literally a construction race to build the most coal plants after the

60,000adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and before the start of the first commitment period in

USC & IGCC new

2007.
With the exception of four units7 that are clearly scheduled to be demolished after being
In addition, information disclosure is extremely poor regarding actual operations, including
older plants, as it is not possible from available information to determine operating ratios unitby-unit, such as capacity factors or the emissions of CO2 and other air pollutants.

40,000

USC less than 40
years

30,00020,000SC over
40 yearsSC less than
40 years

10,000 Sub-C less than
40 years

USC over40 years

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

replaced with new ones, there are no other obvious retirement plans for generation facilities.

Capacity (MW)50,0000
Sub-C New
-10,000

Retirement

Sub-C over
40 years

Figure 3. Capacity of Coal Power Plants in Japan (existing + new, no retirements)
Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Track

Over 40 yrs(Before 1977)

30-39 yrs
(1978-1987)

20-29 yrs
(1988-1997)
Cpapacity (MW)

10-19yrs(1998-2007)

Less than 9 yyrs
(After2008)

No.

Figure 2. Existing Coal Power Plants (by years in operation)
Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Tracker

6

7

6

From Kiko Network (2018) “Japan Coal Plant Tracker” (http://sekitan.jp/plant-map/en) “List of existing plants” (as of September2018). For information on electricity generation facilities, the “Catalog of equipment in thermal and nuclear power plants”(Thermal and Nuclear Power Engineering Society, FY2017 revised edition, in Japanese) was referenced. The total number
includes Takehara former Unit 1 (retired 2017) and former Unit 2 (retired 2018). The present report includes 8 units at plantsthat are monitored as new plans since 2012 and having started operation as of April 2018. Note that this report draws its own
numbers from operators' reports and other publicly available information, as the “Electric Power Statistics” from Japan's Agency
for Natural Resources and Energy (2018) does not clearly provide all power plant numbers and does not publish the number ofunits at each plant.
Takehara former Unit 1 (retired 2017), Takehara former Unit 2 (retired 2018), Toyama Shinkou former Unit 1 (retires 2021), Saijo
former Unit 1 (retires 2024).

7

(3) More than 100 units at existing coal plants(4) Total capacity of coal power plants in Japan

In the preparation of this report, 117 units (44,119 MW) could be identified at existing coal-

The total capacity of existing and newly planned coal plants would amount to 60,209 MW if

fired thermal power plants in Japan based on statistics and company reports (See Appendix

retirement was not considered (Figure 3).

6

II on p. 18). That number includes 22 units (4,205 MW) that had been operating at least 40
years as of April 2018 and some older units approaching sixty years in operation. Meanwhile,
58 units are still relatively new, having operated for less than 20 years (Figure 2). It is also

70,000obvious that there was literally a construction race to build the most coal plants after the

60,000adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and before the start of the first commitment period in

USC & IGCC new

2007.
With the exception of four units7 that are clearly scheduled to be demolished after being
In addition, information disclosure is extremely poor regarding actual operations, including
older plants, as it is not possible from available information to determine operating ratios unitby-unit, such as capacity factors or the emissions of CO2 and other air pollutants.

40,000

USC less than 40
years

30,00020,000SC over
40 yearsSC less than
40 years

10,000 Sub-C less than
40 years

USC over40 years

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

replaced with new ones, there are no other obvious retirement plans for generation facilities.

Capacity (MW)50,0000
Sub-C New
-10,000

Retirement

Sub-C over
40 years

Figure 3. Capacity of Coal Power Plants in Japan (existing + new, no retirements)
Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Track

Over 40 yrs(Before 1977)

30-39 yrs
(1978-1987)

20-29 yrs
(1988-1997)
Cpapacity (MW)

10-19yrs(1998-2007)

Less than 9 yyrs
(After2008)

No.

Figure 2. Existing Coal Power Plants (by years in operation)
Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Tracker

6

7

6

From Kiko Network (2018) “Japan Coal Plant Tracker” (http://sekitan.jp/plant-map/en) “List of existing plants” (as of September2018). For information on electricity generation facilities, the “Catalog of equipment in thermal and nuclear power plants”(Thermal and Nuclear Power Engineering Society, FY2017 revised edition, in Japanese) was referenced. The total number
includes Takehara former Unit 1 (retired 2017) and former Unit 2 (retired 2018). The present report includes 8 units at plantsthat are monitored as new plans since 2012 and having started operation as of April 2018. Note that this report draws its own
numbers from operators' reports and other publicly available information, as the “Electric Power Statistics” from Japan's Agency
for Natural Resources and Energy (2018) does not clearly provide all power plant numbers and does not publish the number ofunits at each plant.
Takehara former Unit 1 (retired 2017), Takehara former Unit 2 (retired 2018), Toyama Shinkou former Unit 1 (retires 2021), Saijo
former Unit 1 (retires 2024).

7

Assuming that all newly planned plants were constructed and operated and each one isretired after 40 years, the total capacity would peak in 2026 at 51,367 MW and decline
thereafter (Figure 4). However, even in 2050, the newly planned and constructed plants
would not yet have operated 40 years, and remaining plant capacity would still be nearly2

Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan

(1) The need to completely phase out coal power by 2030

20,000 MW.
According to several research reports, to achieve the goals of limiting warming to between
In order to meet the Paris Agreement's goal, complete decarbonization is required in the

1.5 and well below 2ºC, it is necessary to reach zero emissions of CO2 from energy in 2050,8

energy sector by 2050 to avoid 2ºC of warming, and it must be achieved even earlier to avoid

and the IPCC “Global Warming of 1.5ºC” special report shows that in all scenarios the only

1.5ºC of warming. However, Japan's current plans to build many new coal power plants

way to limit the temperature rise to 1.5ºC is to practically phase out coal power generation.9

will lead to many large ones remaining in operation even after 2050. This is an enormous

In other words, in order to be consistent with the Paris Agreement, not a single new coal-problem.

burning electrical generation unit can be constructed, existing plants need to be reduced
in number, and developed countries need to achieve a complete phase-out by 2030.10 This
growing number of national and sub-national governments have been developing policies tophase out coal and stop providing foreign assistance for coal plants, and more companies
are joining this trend as well.12

40,000USC

Despite the rising international tide of decarbonization, Japan has not yet revealed plans

20,000Capacity (MW)SC

0

USC & IGCC
New

Sub-C

construction and expanding coal power facilities on a surprising scale. Not only is thisincompatible with the Paris Agreement, it is also going in completely the opposite direction of
global efforts to address climate change and will worsen air pollution where plants are being

Sub-C New
-20,000

to retire existing plants and in fact is moving ahead with a large number slated for new

SC
Retirement

Sub-C
Retirement

USC
Retirement-40,000

constructed. As the world moves toward a decarbonized society under the Paris Agreement,
this also means that Japan will have excess facilities that must eventually stop operating at
some point in the future, which inevitably comes with major economic risks.
Like other countries that are aiming for a coal phase-out by 2030, it is Japan's responsibility as amember state of the Paris Agreement to immediately change the direction of its policies, stop the

Figure 4. Electrical Generation Capacity of Coal Plants in Japan(existing + new, retiring after 40 years)
Source: Prepared by Kiko Network

8

8 Ecofys (2016) “The Incompatibility of High-Efficient Coal Technology with 2˚C Scenarios.”
9 IPCC (2018) “Global warming of 1.5ºC: Summary for Policymakers.”
10 Climate Analytics (2015): “The Coal Gap” says that developed countries must phase out coal power by 2030. Also, “The
Incompatibility of High-Efficient Coal Technology with 2˚C Scenarios” by Ecofys (2016) points out that even with high efficiency
coal power, new facilities cannot be built in order to be consistent with 2ºC scenario.
11 Climate Analytics (2018) “Science based coal phase-out timeline for Japan - Implications for policymakers and investors.”
12 The Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA, https://poweringpastcoal.org/) currently includes 28 national and 19 sub-national
governments plus 28 corporations and organizations that have declared a coal phase-out. The PPCA declaration has threeparts: (1) Government members commit to phasing out existing unabated coal power generation (i.e., without carbon captureand storage). (2) Business and other non-government members commit to powering their operations without coal. (3) All
members commit to supporting clean power generation through their policies and investments, and to restricting financing for
unabated coal power generation.

9

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

phase-out by 2030 also applies to Japan as a developed country.11 Based on this reality, a

60,000Assuming that all newly planned plants were constructed and operated and each one isretired after 40 years, the total capacity would peak in 2026 at 51,367 MW and decline
thereafter (Figure 4). However, even in 2050, the newly planned and constructed plants
would not yet have operated 40 years, and remaining plant capacity would still be nearly2

Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan

(1) The need to completely phase out coal power by 2030

20,000 MW.
According to several research reports, to achieve the goals of limiting warming to between
In order to meet the Paris Agreement's goal, complete decarbonization is required in the

1.5 and well below 2ºC, it is necessary to reach zero emissions of CO2 from energy in 2050,8

energy sector by 2050 to avoid 2ºC of warming, and it must be achieved even earlier to avoid

and the IPCC “Global Warming of 1.5ºC” special report shows that in all scenarios the only

1.5ºC of warming. However, Japan's current plans to build many new coal power plants

way to limit the temperature rise to 1.5ºC is to practically phase out coal power generation.9

will lead to many large ones remaining in operation even after 2050. This is an enormous

In other words, in order to be consistent with the Paris Agreement, not a single new coal-problem.

burning electrical generation unit can be constructed, existing plants need to be reduced
in number, and developed countries need to achieve a complete phase-out by 2030.10 This
growing number of national and sub-national governments have been developing policies tophase out coal and stop providing foreign assistance for coal plants, and more companies
are joining this trend as well.12

40,000USC

Despite the rising international tide of decarbonization, Japan has not yet revealed plans

20,000Capacity (MW)SC

0

USC & IGCC
New

Sub-C

construction and expanding coal power facilities on a surprising scale. Not only is thisincompatible with the Paris Agreement, it is also going in completely the opposite direction of
global efforts to address climate change and will worsen air pollution where plants are being

Sub-C New
-20,000

to retire existing plants and in fact is moving ahead with a large number slated for new

SC
Retirement

Sub-C
Retirement

USC
Retirement-40,000

constructed. As the world moves toward a decarbonized society under the Paris Agreement,
this also means that Japan will have excess facilities that must eventually stop operating at
some point in the future, which inevitably comes with major economic risks.
Like other countries that are aiming for a coal phase-out by 2030, it is Japan's responsibility as amember state of the Paris Agreement to immediately change the direction of its policies, stop the

Figure 4. Electrical Generation Capacity of Coal Plants in Japan(existing + new, retiring after 40 years)
Source: Prepared by Kiko Network

8

8 Ecofys (2016) “The Incompatibility of High-Efficient Coal Technology with 2˚C Scenarios.”
9 IPCC (2018) “Global warming of 1.5ºC: Summary for Policymakers.”
10 Climate Analytics (2015): “The Coal Gap” says that developed countries must phase out coal power by 2030. Also, “The
Incompatibility of High-Efficient Coal Technology with 2˚C Scenarios” by Ecofys (2016) points out that even with high efficiency
coal power, new facilities cannot be built in order to be consistent with 2ºC scenario.
11 Climate Analytics (2018) “Science based coal phase-out timeline for Japan - Implications for policymakers and investors.”
12 The Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA, https://poweringpastcoal.org/) currently includes 28 national and 19 sub-national
governments plus 28 corporations and organizations that have declared a coal phase-out. The PPCA declaration has threeparts: (1) Government members commit to phasing out existing unabated coal power generation (i.e., without carbon captureand storage). (2) Business and other non-government members commit to powering their operations without coal. (3) All
members commit to supporting clean power generation through their policies and investments, and to restricting financing for
unabated coal power generation.

9

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

phase-out by 2030 also applies to Japan as a developed country.11 Based on this reality, a

60,000new construction and operation of coal plants, and accelerate the retirement of existing plants.

Details of the phase-out plan are shown in Figure 5. Generation capacity gradually declines
to zero between 2019 and 2030. The details of units to be retired are shown in Table 2.

(2) Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan
To phase out coal by 2030, most importantly, coal plants that are currently planned or under

50,000construction must all be stopped before they starting operating. These new plants could

40,000potentially continue operating until 2050 or even after, so if plans proceeded, Japan's path

30,000

to decarbonization would become more difficult. Considering that the construction of many

20,000plants has already begun, and the remaining plans are nearing the end of their environmental

this report hereby presents a plan to phase out all existing 117 units at coal plants in Japanby 2030. The proposed approach is to sequence plant retirements starting with plants thathave been operating the longest and have the lowest efficiency (Table 1). In the proposal,
the least efficient Sub-Critical (Sub-C) plants would be retired by 2022, the Supercritical (SC)

0

Sub-C
Sub-C New

-10,000-20,000

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Based on the premise that plants planned currently or under construction will not operate,

SC10,000Capacity (MW)assessment processes, decisions need to be made now to cancel them immediately.

USC

Sub-C
Retirements
SC
Retirements-30,000

USC
Retirements-40,000

plants by 2025, and the Ultra-Supercritical (USC) plants by 2030.
Figure 5. Schedule for Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan

Table 1. Coal Power Technology and Phase-Out Period
Technology

Generation capacity (%)

Sub-critical (Sub-C)

39.1

CO2 emissions

Source: Prepared by Kiko Network

Phase-out period(g-CO2/kWh)(years of retirement)

865

4 years (2018-2022)

Supercritical (SC)

41.3

817

6 years (2021-2025)

Ultra-supercritical (USC)

42.6

785

5 years (2026-2030)
Source: Kiko Network

10

11

new construction and operation of coal plants, and accelerate the retirement of existing plants.

Details of the phase-out plan are shown in Figure 5. Generation capacity gradually declines
to zero between 2019 and 2030. The details of units to be retired are shown in Table 2.

(2) Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan
To phase out coal by 2030, most importantly, coal plants that are currently planned or under

50,000construction must all be stopped before they starting operating. These new plants could

40,000potentially continue operating until 2050 or even after, so if plans proceeded, Japan's path

30,000

to decarbonization would become more difficult. Considering that the construction of many

20,000plants has already begun, and the remaining plans are nearing the end of their environmental

this report hereby presents a plan to phase out all existing 117 units at coal plants in Japanby 2030. The proposed approach is to sequence plant retirements starting with plants thathave been operating the longest and have the lowest efficiency (Table 1). In the proposal,
the least efficient Sub-Critical (Sub-C) plants would be retired by 2022, the Supercritical (SC)

0

Sub-C
Sub-C New

-10,000-20,000

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

Based on the premise that plants planned currently or under construction will not operate,

SC10,000Capacity (MW)assessment processes, decisions need to be made now to cancel them immediately.

USC

Sub-C
Retirements
SC
Retirements-30,000

USC
Retirements-40,000

plants by 2025, and the Ultra-Supercritical (USC) plants by 2030.
Figure 5. Schedule for Japan Coal Phase-Out Plan

Table 1. Coal Power Technology and Phase-Out Period
Technology

Generation capacity (%)

Sub-critical (Sub-C)

39.1

CO2 emissions

Source: Prepared by Kiko Network

Phase-out period(g-CO2/kWh)(years of retirement)

865

4 years (2018-2022)

Supercritical (SC)

41.3

817

6 years (2021-2025)

Ultra-supercritical (USC)

42.6

785

5 years (2026-2030)
Source: Kiko Network

10

11

Table 2. Unit-by-Unit Retirement Schedule in the Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan
Retirement
year
2017
2018

2020

12

Company/Operator

Takehara Unit 1

J-POWER

Capacity Technology
(MW)
250

Sub-C

Subtotal in 2017
Sub-C

350

Sub-C

1

250

Subtotal in 2018

J-POWER

156

Sub-C

Tokuyama Central
No.9

Tokuyama

149

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumikin StainlessSteel Corporation,
Hikari Works-1

Nippon Steel &Sumikin StainlessSteel Corporation

53

Sub-C

Gushikawa Unit 1

Okinawa Electric
Power

156

Sub-C

Gushikawa Unit 2

Okinawa Electric
Power

156

Sub-C

Sumitomo Osaka
Cement, Ako Factory

Sumitomo Osaka
Cement103

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumikin StainlessSteel Corporation,
Hikari Works-2

Nippon Steel &Sumikin StainlessSteel Corporation

53

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.

149

Sub-C

Takehara Unit 2

J-POWER

Niihama Nishi Unit 1

Sumitomo Joint
Electric Power

75

Sub-C

Niihama Nishi Unit 2

Sumitomo Joint
Electric Power

75

Sub-C

Tokuyama Central
No.5

Tokuyama

35

Sub-C

Mizushima Unit 2

Chugoku Electric
Power

156

Sub-C

Saijo Unit 1

Shikoku Electric Power

156

Sub-C

Shimonoseki Unit 1

Chugoku Electric
Power

175

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.
Hirohata

Naie Unit1

Hokkaido Electric
Power

175

Sub-C

Tobata Unit 6

Tobata Co-operative
Thermal Power

149

Sub-C

Takasago Unit 1

J-POWER

250

Sub-C

Sub-C

J-POWER

250

Sub-C

Sumitomo Osaka
Cement61

Takasago Unit 2

Sumitomo Osaka
Cement, Kochi Factory

Sumitomo Joint
Electric Power

Tokuyama East No.2

Tokuyama

145

Sub-C

Niihama Higashi Unit 1

27

Sub-C

Nakayama Nagoya

149

Sub-C

Naie Unit2

Hokkaido ElectricPower

Nakayama Nagoya
power company

175

Sub-C

Toyohashi

Meikai power company

147

Sub-C

Saijo Unit 2

Shikoku Electric Power

250

Sub-C

Sub-C

250

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.

149

Nakoso Unit 7

Joban Kyodo Power
Company

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.
KamaishiTobata Unit 2

Tobata Co-operative
Thermal Power

156

Osaki, Unit 1

Chugoku Electric
Power

250

Sub-C

Toyama Shinkou
Sekitan Unit 1

Hokuriku ElectricPower Company

250

Sub-C

Itoigawa

Itoigawa Power
Company

149

Sub-C

Toyama Shinkou
Sekitan Unit 2

Hokuriku ElectricPower Company

250

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal,
Muroran No.5

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.

145

Sub-C

Nyugawa Unit 1

Sumitomo Joint
Electric Power

250

Sub-C

Kin Unit 1

Okinawa Electric
Power

220

Sub-C

Sigma Power Ariake
Miike

Miike Power

175

Sub-C

330

Sub-C

Hokkaido ElectricPower

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.

Sunagawa Unit 3

125

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.
Oita

Mitsubishi Rayon Co.

147

Sub-C

Sakata Kyodo Unit 1

Sakata Kyodo Power
Company

350

Sub-C

Mitsubishi Rayon
Otake

Sub-C

350

Sub-C

Okinawa Electric
Power

220

Sakata Kyodo Unit 2

Sakata Kyodo Power
Company

Kin Unit 2

Tokuyama

145

Sub-C

Toutouatsuma Unit 1

Hokkaido Electric
Power

350

Sub-C

Tokuyama Central
No.8

Sub-C

125

Sub-C

Nippon Paper
Industries

80

Sunagawa Unit

Hokkaido ElectricPower

Nippon Paper
Industries Kushiro

Ube Industries, Isa
Factory

Ube Industries

216

Sub-C

Ube Industries

57

Sub-C

UBE Power Center,
Ube No.6
Tosa

Tosa power

167

Sub-C

Ishikawa Unit 1

J-POWER

156

Sub-C

Sumitomo Osaka
Cement Kochi

Sumitomo Osaka
Cement

61

Sub-C

Sub-C

1

350

2020

Sub-C

2021
Subtotal in 2019
Sub-C

20

3,605

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

2019

Plant name

Ishikawa Unit 2

Subtotal in 2020
Sub-C

16

2,368

13

Table 2. Unit-by-Unit Retirement Schedule in the Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan
Retirement
year
2017
2018

2020

12

Company/Operator

Takehara Unit 1

J-POWER

Capacity Technology
(MW)
250

Sub-C

Subtotal in 2017
Sub-C

350

Sub-C

1

250

Subtotal in 2018

J-POWER

156

Sub-C

Tokuyama Central
No.9

Tokuyama

149

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumikin StainlessSteel Corporation,
Hikari Works-1

Nippon Steel &Sumikin StainlessSteel Corporation

53

Sub-C

Gushikawa Unit 1

Okinawa Electric
Power

156

Sub-C

Gushikawa Unit 2

Okinawa Electric
Power

156

Sub-C

Sumitomo Osaka
Cement, Ako Factory

Sumitomo Osaka
Cement103

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumikin StainlessSteel Corporation,
Hikari Works-2

Nippon Steel &Sumikin StainlessSteel Corporation

53

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.

149

Sub-C

Takehara Unit 2

J-POWER

Niihama Nishi Unit 1

Sumitomo Joint
Electric Power

75

Sub-C

Niihama Nishi Unit 2

Sumitomo Joint
Electric Power

75

Sub-C

Tokuyama Central
No.5

Tokuyama

35

Sub-C

Mizushima Unit 2

Chugoku Electric
Power

156

Sub-C

Saijo Unit 1

Shikoku Electric Power

156

Sub-C

Shimonoseki Unit 1

Chugoku Electric
Power

175

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.
Hirohata

Naie Unit1

Hokkaido Electric
Power

175

Sub-C

Tobata Unit 6

Tobata Co-operative
Thermal Power

149

Sub-C

Takasago Unit 1

J-POWER

250

Sub-C

Sub-C

J-POWER

250

Sub-C

Sumitomo Osaka
Cement61

Takasago Unit 2

Sumitomo Osaka
Cement, Kochi Factory

Sumitomo Joint
Electric Power

Tokuyama East No.2

Tokuyama

145

Sub-C

Niihama Higashi Unit 1

27

Sub-C

Nakayama Nagoya

149

Sub-C

Naie Unit2

Hokkaido ElectricPower

Nakayama Nagoya
power company

175

Sub-C

Toyohashi

Meikai power company

147

Sub-C

Saijo Unit 2

Shikoku Electric Power

250

Sub-C

Sub-C

250

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.

149

Nakoso Unit 7

Joban Kyodo Power
Company

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.
KamaishiTobata Unit 2

Tobata Co-operative
Thermal Power

156

Osaki, Unit 1

Chugoku Electric
Power

250

Sub-C

Toyama Shinkou
Sekitan Unit 1

Hokuriku ElectricPower Company

250

Sub-C

Itoigawa

Itoigawa Power
Company

149

Sub-C

Toyama Shinkou
Sekitan Unit 2

Hokuriku ElectricPower Company

250

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal,
Muroran No.5

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.

145

Sub-C

Nyugawa Unit 1

Sumitomo Joint
Electric Power

250

Sub-C

Kin Unit 1

Okinawa Electric
Power

220

Sub-C

Sigma Power Ariake
Miike

Miike Power

175

Sub-C

330

Sub-C

Hokkaido ElectricPower

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.

Sunagawa Unit 3

125

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.
Oita

Mitsubishi Rayon Co.

147

Sub-C

Sakata Kyodo Unit 1

Sakata Kyodo Power
Company

350

Sub-C

Mitsubishi Rayon
Otake

Sub-C

350

Sub-C

Okinawa Electric
Power

220

Sakata Kyodo Unit 2

Sakata Kyodo Power
Company

Kin Unit 2

Tokuyama

145

Sub-C

Toutouatsuma Unit 1

Hokkaido Electric
Power

350

Sub-C

Tokuyama Central
No.8

Sub-C

125

Sub-C

Nippon Paper
Industries

80

Sunagawa Unit

Hokkaido ElectricPower

Nippon Paper
Industries Kushiro

Ube Industries, Isa
Factory

Ube Industries

216

Sub-C

Ube Industries

57

Sub-C

UBE Power Center,
Ube No.6
Tosa

Tosa power

167

Sub-C

Ishikawa Unit 1

J-POWER

156

Sub-C

Sumitomo Osaka
Cement Kochi

Sumitomo Osaka
Cement

61

Sub-C

Sub-C

1

350

2020

Sub-C

2021
Subtotal in 2019
Sub-C

20

3,605

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

2019

Plant name

Ishikawa Unit 2

Subtotal in 2020
Sub-C

16

2,368

13

2021

2023

2024

14

J-POWER

500

SC

Subtotal in 2021

Matsushima Unit 2

J-POWER

500

SC

Sub-C

15

2,575

UBE Power Center,
Ube No.5

Ube Industries

145

SC

SC

3

1,145

Asahi Kasei NS
Energy, Nobeoka(Biomass)

Asahi Kasei NS
Energy50

Sub-C

Niihama Higashi Unit 2

Sumitomo Joint
Electric Power

03

Sub-C

Daicel Otake

Daicel Corp.

50

Sub-C

Tokuyama Central
No.7

Tokuyama

78

Niihama Nishi Unit 3

Sumitomo Joint
Electric Power

Tobata Unit 5

2024

Hekinan Unit 2

Chubu Electric Power

700

SC

Noshiro Unit1

Tohoku Electric Power

600

SC

Subtotal in 2024

Shinchi Unit 1

Soma Kyodo Power
Company

1,000

SC

SC

Shinchi Unit 2

Soma Kyodo Power
Company

1,000

SC

5

3,500

Reihoku Unit 1

Kyusyu Electric Power

700

SC

Shinko Kobe Unit 1

Kobelco Power

700

SC

Subtotal in 2025

Shinko Kobe Unit 2

Kobelco Power

700

SC

SC

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.
KashimaNippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.

522

SC

150

Sub-C

Hekinan Unit 3

Chubu Electric Power

700

USC

Tobata Co-operative
Thermal Power

110

Sub-C

Noshiro Unit2

Tohoku Electric Power

600

USC

Summit Onahama S
PowerSummit Onahama S
Power Corp.

50

Sub-C

Nanao Ota Unit 1

Hokuriku ElectricPower Company

500

USC

Subtotal in 2026

Haramachi Unit1

Tohoku Electric Power

1,000

USC

SC

1

522

Erex, Saeki Biomass

Erex New Energy,
Saeki

50

Sub-C

J-POWER

1,000

USC

USC

5

3,800

Mombetsu Biomass
Electric Power Station

Mombetsu Biomass
Electric Power Co.

Matsuura Unit 2,
J-POWER50

Sub-C

Misumi Unit 1

1,000

USC

Suzukawa Energy
CenterSuzukawa Energy
CenterChugoku Electric
Power

112

Sub-C

Haramachi Unit2

Tohoku Electric Power

1,000

USC

Nakayama Nagoya 2

Nakayama Nagoya
power company

110

Sub-C

Nanao Ota Unit 2

Hokuriku ElectricPower Company

700

USC

Mizushima Energy
CenterMizushima Energy
Center

112

Sub-C

700

USC

Meinan Kyodo Energy

Meinan Kyodo Energy
Co.

31

Sub-C

Sendai Power Station

Sendai Power Station

112

Sub-C

Soma energy park

Soma Energy Park
LLC

112

Sub-C

Ishinomaki Hibarino
No.1

Nippon Paper
Industries Ishinomaki
Energy Center

149

Sub-C

Takehara Unit 3

J-POWER

700

SC

Nakoso Unit 8

Joban Kyodo Power
Company

600

SC

Sub-C

16

1,329

Nakoso Unit 9

Joban Kyodo Power
Company

600

SC

SC

3

1,900

Toutouatsuma Unit 2

Hokkaido Electric
Power

600

SC

Shin Onoda Unit 1

Chugoku Electric
Power

500

Shin Onoda Unit 2

Chugoku Electric
Power

500

SC

Matsuura Unit 1

Kyusyu Electric Power

700

SC

Subtotal in 2023

Matsuura Unit 1,
J-POWERJ-POWER

1,000

SC

SC

Tsuruga Unit 1

Hokuriku ElectricPower Company

500

SC

Hekinan Unit 1

Chubu Electric Power

700

SC

2025

2026

2027

2028
Subtotal in 2022

2029

SC

5

3,300

2030

Tachibana-wan Unit 1 Shikoku Electric Power

4

3,100

Tachibana-wan Unit 1,
J-POWERJ-POWER

1,050

USC

Subtotal in 2027

Tsuruga Unit 2

Hokuriku ElectricPower Company

700

USC

USC

Tachibana-wan Unit 2,
J-POWERJ-POWER

1,050

USC

Karita new-Unit 1

Kyusyu Electric Power

360

USC

Hekinan Unit 4

Chubu Electric Power

1,000

USC

Isogo, new Unit 1

J-POWER

600

USC

Toutouatsuma Unit 4

Hokkaido Electric
Power

700

USC

Subtotal in 2028

Hekinan Unit 5

Chubu Electric Power

1,000

USC

USC

Reihoku Unit 2

Kyusyu Electric Power

700

USC

Hitachinaka Unit1TEPCO Fuel & Power

1,000

USC

Hirono Unit5

TEPCO Fuel & Power

600

USC

6

6

5,150

4,710

Maizuru Unit 1

Kansai Electric Power

900

USC

Isogo new-Unit 2

J-POWER

600

USC

Subtotal in 2029

Maizuru Unit 2

Kansai Electric Power

900

USC

USC

Nakoso Unit 10

Joban Kyodo Power
Company

250

IGCC

Hirono Unit6

TEPCO Fuel & Power

600

USC

Hitachinaka Unit2

TEPCO Fuel & Power

1,000

USC

USC

2

16,000Osaki Cool Gen

Osaki Cool Gen

166

IGCC

IGCC

2

4,160

6

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

2022

Matsushima Unit 1

4,700

Subtotal in 2030

Source: Prepaterd by Kiko Network

15

2021

2023

2024

14

J-POWER

500

SC

Subtotal in 2021

Matsushima Unit 2

J-POWER

500

SC

Sub-C

15

2,575

UBE Power Center,
Ube No.5

Ube Industries

145

SC

SC

3

1,145

Asahi Kasei NS
Energy, Nobeoka(Biomass)

Asahi Kasei NS
Energy50

Sub-C

Niihama Higashi Unit 2

Sumitomo Joint
Electric Power

03

Sub-C

Daicel Otake

Daicel Corp.

50

Sub-C

Tokuyama Central
No.7

Tokuyama

78

Niihama Nishi Unit 3

Sumitomo Joint
Electric Power

Tobata Unit 5

2024

Hekinan Unit 2

Chubu Electric Power

700

SC

Noshiro Unit1

Tohoku Electric Power

600

SC

Subtotal in 2024

Shinchi Unit 1

Soma Kyodo Power
Company

1,000

SC

SC

Shinchi Unit 2

Soma Kyodo Power
Company

1,000

SC

5

3,500

Reihoku Unit 1

Kyusyu Electric Power

700

SC

Shinko Kobe Unit 1

Kobelco Power

700

SC

Subtotal in 2025

Shinko Kobe Unit 2

Kobelco Power

700

SC

SC

Sub-C

Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.
KashimaNippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Co.

522

SC

150

Sub-C

Hekinan Unit 3

Chubu Electric Power

700

USC

Tobata Co-operative
Thermal Power

110

Sub-C

Noshiro Unit2

Tohoku Electric Power

600

USC

Summit Onahama S
PowerSummit Onahama S
Power Corp.

50

Sub-C

Nanao Ota Unit 1

Hokuriku ElectricPower Company

500

USC

Subtotal in 2026

Haramachi Unit1

Tohoku Electric Power

1,000

USC

SC

1

522

Erex, Saeki Biomass

Erex New Energy,
Saeki

50

Sub-C

J-POWER

1,000

USC

USC

5

3,800

Mombetsu Biomass
Electric Power Station

Mombetsu Biomass
Electric Power Co.

Matsuura Unit 2,
J-POWER50

Sub-C

Misumi Unit 1

1,000

USC

Suzukawa Energy
CenterSuzukawa Energy
CenterChugoku Electric
Power

112

Sub-C

Haramachi Unit2

Tohoku Electric Power

1,000

USC

Nakayama Nagoya 2

Nakayama Nagoya
power company

110

Sub-C

Nanao Ota Unit 2

Hokuriku ElectricPower Company

700

USC

Mizushima Energy
CenterMizushima Energy
Center

112

Sub-C

700

USC

Meinan Kyodo Energy

Meinan Kyodo Energy
Co.

31

Sub-C

Sendai Power Station

Sendai Power Station

112

Sub-C

Soma energy park

Soma Energy Park
LLC

112

Sub-C

Ishinomaki Hibarino
No.1

Nippon Paper
Industries Ishinomaki
Energy Center

149

Sub-C

Takehara Unit 3

J-POWER

700

SC

Nakoso Unit 8

Joban Kyodo Power
Company

600

SC

Sub-C

16

1,329

Nakoso Unit 9

Joban Kyodo Power
Company

600

SC

SC

3

1,900

Toutouatsuma Unit 2

Hokkaido Electric
Power

600

SC

Shin Onoda Unit 1

Chugoku Electric
Power

500

Shin Onoda Unit 2

Chugoku Electric
Power

500

SC

Matsuura Unit 1

Kyusyu Electric Power

700

SC

Subtotal in 2023

Matsuura Unit 1,
J-POWERJ-POWER

1,000

SC

SC

Tsuruga Unit 1

Hokuriku ElectricPower Company

500

SC

Hekinan Unit 1

Chubu Electric Power

700

SC

2025

2026

2027

2028
Subtotal in 2022

2029

SC

5

3,300

2030

Tachibana-wan Unit 1 Shikoku Electric Power

4

3,100

Tachibana-wan Unit 1,
J-POWERJ-POWER

1,050

USC

Subtotal in 2027

Tsuruga Unit 2

Hokuriku ElectricPower Company

700

USC

USC

Tachibana-wan Unit 2,
J-POWERJ-POWER

1,050

USC

Karita new-Unit 1

Kyusyu Electric Power

360

USC

Hekinan Unit 4

Chubu Electric Power

1,000

USC

Isogo, new Unit 1

J-POWER

600

USC

Toutouatsuma Unit 4

Hokkaido Electric
Power

700

USC

Subtotal in 2028

Hekinan Unit 5

Chubu Electric Power

1,000

USC

USC

Reihoku Unit 2

Kyusyu Electric Power

700

USC

Hitachinaka Unit1TEPCO Fuel & Power

1,000

USC

Hirono Unit5

TEPCO Fuel & Power

600

USC

6

6

5,150

4,710

Maizuru Unit 1

Kansai Electric Power

900

USC

Isogo new-Unit 2

J-POWER

600

USC

Subtotal in 2029

Maizuru Unit 2

Kansai Electric Power

900

USC

USC

Nakoso Unit 10

Joban Kyodo Power
Company

250

IGCC

Hirono Unit6

TEPCO Fuel & Power

600

USC

Hitachinaka Unit2

TEPCO Fuel & Power

1,000

USC

USC

2

16,000Osaki Cool Gen

Osaki Cool Gen

166

IGCC

IGCC

2

4,160

6

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

2022

Matsushima Unit 1

4,700

Subtotal in 2030

Source: Prepaterd by Kiko Network

15

(3) Impacts on electrical power supply
Reducing the current coal power capacity of more than 40,000 MW to zero within just overten years means losing what the government refers to as base load sources, so it would be

3

Implementing the Phase-Out Plan

(1) Immediate revision of current policy directions is needed

no surprise that concerns are raised about the impacts on a stable supply of electricity. As
shown below, however, a phase-out is fully possible without major negative impacts.

It is clear that this Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan cannot be implemented without policychange. To implement the plan, it will be necessary to reconsider current policy directions

To begin with, the construction of LNG-fired power plants in Japan has also been proceeding

and develop specific policy responses.

steadily in recent years and their capacity is growing. Since 2014, about 9,000 MW oflarge LNG plants have been newly built or expanded. Meanwhile, according to a summary█

Set clear policy directions for coal phase-out by 2030, consistent with Paris Agreement(Strategic Energy Plan and Climate Action Plan)

Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO), the capacity factor of LNG plants is

Current Japanese government policies emphasize coal and nuclear as “important base-projected to drop from 55.3% in 2017 to 43% in 2027.  As an overall surplus of capacity isload power sources,” so it is crucial to start by fundamentally revising this thinking. Rather

foreseen, if the capacity factor of LNG power generation is raised to between 60% and 65%

than basing policy on coal and nuclear, for which it is difficult to adjust output, Japan needs

and power generation by renewable energy be increased to 27% as projected by OCCTO

to shift its basic direction to an electrical system that can provide a stable power supply

for 2027, it will be possible to cover most of the decline in coal-fired electricity generation

through flexible supply-demand adjustment of renewable energy that includes variablecapacity. It is also entirely possible that the 27% figure for renewables could be achieved well

power sources.

ahead of schedule.
█

Legislate to implement the coal phase-out

Meanwhile, OCCTO's projections for maximum electricity demand and annual electricity(Enact an Act on Coal Phase-Out (tentative name))demand for the ten years from 2018 to 2027 are flat, with ±0% as the annual average growthBased on a clear commitment to phase out coal, it is crucial to have consistentrate. This figure was revised downward from a previous projection (of average growth rate

implementation year after year. But actions are difficult under existing legislative

at 0.3%) by taking into account factors such as progress with electricity conservation andframeworks, so it will be crucial to enact new legislation that stipulates a year-by-year

energy efficiency, and measures to cut peak demand, but regardless, the future projection

schedule for the retirement of coal power generation. Combined with an Act on Nuclear

maintains the same level of electricity demand as in 2018. In the future, nevertheless, it will

Phase-Out, it is likely possible to promote a coal power phase-out concurrently with abe important to further promote electricity conservation and energy efficiency, and there is

nuclear power phase-out.

also significant potential for the benefits of using the “Internet of Things” (IoT), and so on. If
energy efficiency improves at an annual rate of 1.5%, the loss of coal-powered capacity can█

Revise Japan's GHG emission reduction targets and energy mix(Strategic Energy Plan and Climate Action Plan)be covered even with nuclear at zero.

Along with a coal phase-out plan for 2030, Japan needs to revise its current energy mix,
This Plan suggests a gradual annual retirement of between 2,000 MW and 4,000 to 5,000

which is premised on coal providing 26% of Japan's electricity supply in 2030, and a

MW of coal-fired power generation capacity, and it is fully achievable if a plan is formulated in

26% GHG emission reduction target in 2030 (compared to FY2013). It is obvious that

advance and measures are implemented steadily.

the ratio of coal in the electrical power supply mix in 2030 should be zero, and based on
the premise of coal power being steadily phased out, the GHG emission reduction target
should be increased to at least 40 to 50%.

16

17

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

of supply plans of power producers   released by the Organization for Cross-regional

(3) Impacts on electrical power supply
Reducing the current coal power capacity of more than 40,000 MW to zero within just overten years means losing what the government refers to as base load sources, so it would be

3

Implementing the Phase-Out Plan

(1) Immediate revision of current policy directions is needed

no surprise that concerns are raised about the impacts on a stable supply of electricity. As
shown below, however, a phase-out is fully possible without major negative impacts.

It is clear that this Japan 2030 Coal Phase-Out Plan cannot be implemented without policychange. To implement the plan, it will be necessary to reconsider current policy directions

To begin with, the construction of LNG-fired power plants in Japan has also been proceeding

and develop specific policy responses.

steadily in recent years and their capacity is growing. Since 2014, about 9,000 MW oflarge LNG plants have been newly built or expanded. Meanwhile, according to a summary█

Set clear policy directions for coal phase-out by 2030, consistent with Paris Agreement(Strategic Energy Plan and Climate Action Plan)

Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO), the capacity factor of LNG plants is

Current Japanese government policies emphasize coal and nuclear as “important base-projected to drop from 55.3% in 2017 to 43% in 2027.  As an overall surplus of capacity isload power sources,” so it is crucial to start by fundamentally revising this thinking. Rather

foreseen, if the capacity factor of LNG power generation is raised to between 60% and 65%

than basing policy on coal and nuclear, for which it is difficult to adjust output, Japan needs

and power generation by renewable energy be increased to 27% as projected by OCCTO

to shift its basic direction to an electrical system that can provide a stable power supply

for 2027, it will be possible to cover most of the decline in coal-fired electricity generation

through flexible supply-demand adjustment of renewable energy that includes variablecapacity. It is also entirely possible that the 27% figure for renewables could be achieved well

power sources.

ahead of schedule.
█

Legislate to implement the coal phase-out

Meanwhile, OCCTO's projections for maximum electricity demand and annual electricity(Enact an Act on Coal Phase-Out (tentative name))demand for the ten years from 2018 to 2027 are flat, with ±0% as the annual average growthBased on a clear commitment to phase out coal, it is crucial to have consistentrate. This figure was revised downward from a previous projection (of average growth rate

implementation year after year. But actions are difficult under existing legislative

at 0.3%) by taking into account factors such as progress with electricity conservation andframeworks, so it will be crucial to enact new legislation that stipulates a year-by-year

energy efficiency, and measures to cut peak demand, but regardless, the future projection

schedule for the retirement of coal power generation. Combined with an Act on Nuclear

maintains the same level of electricity demand as in 2018. In the future, nevertheless, it will

Phase-Out, it is likely possible to promote a coal power phase-out concurrently with abe important to further promote electricity conservation and energy efficiency, and there is

nuclear power phase-out.

also significant potential for the benefits of using the “Internet of Things” (IoT), and so on. If
energy efficiency improves at an annual rate of 1.5%, the loss of coal-powered capacity can█

Revise Japan's GHG emission reduction targets and energy mix(Strategic Energy Plan and Climate Action Plan)be covered even with nuclear at zero.

Along with a coal phase-out plan for 2030, Japan needs to revise its current energy mix,
This Plan suggests a gradual annual retirement of between 2,000 MW and 4,000 to 5,000

which is premised on coal providing 26% of Japan's electricity supply in 2030, and a

MW of coal-fired power generation capacity, and it is fully achievable if a plan is formulated in

26% GHG emission reduction target in 2030 (compared to FY2013). It is obvious that

advance and measures are implemented steadily.

the ratio of coal in the electrical power supply mix in 2030 should be zero, and based on
the premise of coal power being steadily phased out, the GHG emission reduction target
should be increased to at least 40 to 50%.

16

17

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

of supply plans of power producers   released by the Organization for Cross-regional█Introduce carbon pricing■ Information and data availability and disclosure(Tax for climate change mitigation, domestic emission trading scheme)

To secure a steady reduction of emissions from power plants as the largest emissions

In order to incentivize efforts to limit the use of coal power on both the supply andsector, adequate information disclosure is crucial. In particular, disclosure should be done

demand side, Japan should introduce carbon pricing in 2019. Based on a regulatory

on an hourly basis for capacity utilization at each generation facility, as well as electricity

schedule specified by a proposed Act on Coal Phase-Out, carbon pricing would promote

generated and emissions of CO2 and other air pollutants.

the selection of more efficient, low-carbon electricity generation technologies. The
implementation of the coal phase-out plan proposed in this report will for a while involve
increased capacity factors for LNG power generation, but even then it will encourage thetransition to more efficient power generation plants. It can also be expected to have aneffect of broadly promoting energy efficiency and energy conservation on the demandside.
Revise power generation efficiency standards and non-fossil fuel electricity
generation ratio(Act Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, Act on the Promotion of Use of Non-fossil
Energy Sources and Effective Use of Fossil Energy Materials by Energy Suppliers)
To be consistent with revisions of GHG emission reduction targets and the energy mix,
Japan should also revise power generation efficiency standards, and targets for the nonfossil fuel power generation ratio (current target is 44% in 2030) —based, respectively,on the Act Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, and on the Act on the Promotion of
Use of Non-fossil Energy Sources and Effective Use of Fossil Energy Materials by Energy
Suppliers.
█

Enhance energy conservation policies and load leveling
Energy efficiency and energy conservation hold the key to achieving a coal phase-out. At

Germany has a major coal industry, and even there, a committee has been created oncoal phase-out and discussions are under way. Japan currently has significant coal power
generation capacity, so it might be understood that a coal phase-out by 2030 would be
difficult. However, as a country that has ratified and declared its support for the Paris
Agreement, Japan has no other option but to phase out coal. We see no other choice on
this point and no room for procrastination, and we call upon the government to promptly
and earnestly implement these actions. This report presents one approach toward the goalof a coal phase-out, which other countries of the world are also aiming for. However, evenfor the same goal of a 2030 phase-out of coal, there could be different paths—dependingon the actual status of operations and other factors at power plants, the potential for the
introduction of renewable energy, and other local characteristics. Now is the time to start a
broad discussion and then shift to action.
The IPCC “Global Warming of 1.5ºC” special report indicated that warming could reach 1.5ºC
as early as 2030. We have roughly ten years to pass the test and avoid that situation. To that
end, Japan needs to start today on the path to phase out coal.

the same time as introducing carbon pricing to accelerate energy efficiency and energy
conservation by each stakeholder, it is important to implement multiple and integrated
policies to improve efficiency in power plants and power load leveling, and promotedemand-side management.
█

Massive introduction of renewable energy
The government is aiming to make renewable energy a major component of the electrical
power supply, and to do so, it is necessary to secure a priority dispatch in supplying
renewable energy and promote the massive introduction of renewable energy bystrengthening a flexible electricity interchange and strengthening the grid system.

18

19

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030█

(2) Time to start the discussion

█Introduce carbon pricing■ Information and data availability and disclosure(Tax for climate change mitigation, domestic emission trading scheme)

To secure a steady reduction of emissions from power plants as the largest emissions

In order to incentivize efforts to limit the use of coal power on both the supply andsector, adequate information disclosure is crucial. In particular, disclosure should be done

demand side, Japan should introduce carbon pricing in 2019. Based on a regulatory

on an hourly basis for capacity utilization at each generation facility, as well as electricity

schedule specified by a proposed Act on Coal Phase-Out, carbon pricing would promote

generated and emissions of CO2 and other air pollutants.

the selection of more efficient, low-carbon electricity generation technologies. The
implementation of the coal phase-out plan proposed in this report will for a while involve
increased capacity factors for LNG power generation, but even then it will encourage thetransition to more efficient power generation plants. It can also be expected to have aneffect of broadly promoting energy efficiency and energy conservation on the demandside.
Revise power generation efficiency standards and non-fossil fuel electricity
generation ratio(Act Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, Act on the Promotion of Use of Non-fossil
Energy Sources and Effective Use of Fossil Energy Materials by Energy Suppliers)
To be consistent with revisions of GHG emission reduction targets and the energy mix,
Japan should also revise power generation efficiency standards, and targets for the nonfossil fuel power generation ratio (current target is 44% in 2030) —based, respectively,on the Act Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, and on the Act on the Promotion of
Use of Non-fossil Energy Sources and Effective Use of Fossil Energy Materials by Energy
Suppliers.
█

Enhance energy conservation policies and load leveling
Energy efficiency and energy conservation hold the key to achieving a coal phase-out. At

Germany has a major coal industry, and even there, a committee has been created oncoal phase-out and discussions are under way. Japan currently has significant coal power
generation capacity, so it might be understood that a coal phase-out by 2030 would be
difficult. However, as a country that has ratified and declared its support for the Paris
Agreement, Japan has no other option but to phase out coal. We see no other choice on
this point and no room for procrastination, and we call upon the government to promptly
and earnestly implement these actions. This report presents one approach toward the goalof a coal phase-out, which other countries of the world are also aiming for. However, evenfor the same goal of a 2030 phase-out of coal, there could be different paths—dependingon the actual status of operations and other factors at power plants, the potential for the
introduction of renewable energy, and other local characteristics. Now is the time to start a
broad discussion and then shift to action.
The IPCC “Global Warming of 1.5ºC” special report indicated that warming could reach 1.5ºC
as early as 2030. We have roughly ten years to pass the test and avoid that situation. To that
end, Japan needs to start today on the path to phase out coal.

the same time as introducing carbon pricing to accelerate energy efficiency and energy
conservation by each stakeholder, it is important to implement multiple and integrated
policies to improve efficiency in power plants and power load leveling, and promotedemand-side management.
█

Massive introduction of renewable energy
The government is aiming to make renewable energy a major component of the electrical
power supply, and to do so, it is necessary to secure a priority dispatch in supplying
renewable energy and promote the massive introduction of renewable energy bystrengthening a flexible electricity interchange and strengthening the grid system.

18

19

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030█

(2) Time to start the discussion

Appendix I. List of Coal Power Plants Proposed in 2012 or Later (*1)
Area

Plant name1

Shizuoka

Suzukawa Energy Center

2

Hiroshima Osaki Cool Gen

3

Aichi

Nagoya No.2

4

MiyagiSendai Power Station

5

OkayamaMizushima Energy Center

6

MiyagiIshinomaki Hibarino No.1

8

Aichi

Meinan Kyodo Energy

9 Fukushima Hibikinada Energy Park
10
11

Akita
FukuokaNippon Paper Akita Power
Plant
Hibikinada thermal power
plant

Hofu Biomass-coal mixed
12 Yamaguchi
Power Plant
13
14

Hiroshima Takehara New No.1
Akita

Noshiro No.3

15

NagasakiMatsuura No.2

16

Ibaraki

Kashima No.2

17 Fukushima IGCC Nakoso

18 Fukushima IGCC Hirono
19

20

Aichi

Suzukawa Energy Center (Nippon
Paper Industries, Mitsubishi Corp.,
Chubu Electric Power)
Osaki Cool Gen (Chugoku ElectricPower, J-Power)
Nakayama Nagoya Kyodo Hatsuden(Gas and Power, Nakayama SteelWorks, Osaka Gas)
Sendai Power Station (KENES, Itochu
Enex)
Mizushima Energy Center (Kanden
Energy Solution, Mitsubishi Corp.,  
Mitsubishi Chemical)
Nippon Paper Industries Ishinomaki
Energy Center (Nippon Paper
Industries Co., Mitsubishi Corp.)
Soma Energy Park LLC
Meinan Kyodo Energy Co. (MeikoTrans Co., Seika Corp., Japan Energy
Partners)
Hibikinada Energy Park (Orix Corp.,
Hokuzai Transport)
Nippon Paper Industries Co.
Hibikinada thermal power plant (IDI
Infrastructures)
Air Water & Energia Power Yamaguchi
Corporation (Chugoku Electric Power,
Air Water Inc.)

Planning
Capacity
Operation
(MW)
date
112

9/2016

Operating

Sub-C

672

166

3/2017

Operating

IGCC

706

110

9/2017

Operating

Sub-C

660

112

10/2017

OperatingUnknown

672

112

12/2017

OperatingUnknown

672

149

3/2018Operating

Sub-C

894

112

4/2018OperatingUnknown672

31

2/2018Trial operation

Sub-C

187

112

7/2018

Unknown

682

610

112

10/2018

Unknown

763

864

112

2/2019Unknown

584

600

112

7/2019J-POWER

600

6/2020

Tohoku Electric Power600

6/2020Kyushu Electric Power
Kashima Power (J-Power, Nippon Steel& Sumikin Stainless Steel Corp.)
Fukushima Revitalization Power
Consortium (Mitsubishi Corp. Power,
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi
Electric, Tokyo Electric Power, Joban
Joint Power Co.)
Fukushima Revitalization Power
Consortium (Mitsubishi Corporation
Power, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,  Mitsubishi Electric, Tokyo Electric)

Status1,000

6/2020645

7/2020540

9/2020540

9/2021

Taketoyo No.5

Chubu Electric Power

1,070

3/202220 Yamaguchi

Tokuyama East Power
Generation No.3

TKE3 (Tokuyama,  Marubeni, Tokyo
Century)300

4/202221

ShimaneMisumi No.2

Chugoku Electric Power

1,000

11/2022

22

IbarakiKamisu Power station

Kamisu Power (Marubeni、 Kanden
Energy Solution)

112

2018

23

Ibaraki

Hitachinaka Kyodo No.1

Hitachinaka Generation (JERA)

650

2020

24

Hyogo

Kobe Power Plant No.3

Kobelco Power Kobe-2

650

2021

25

Hyogo

Kobe Power Plant No.4

Kobelco Power Kobe-2

650

2022

Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction

692

26 Fukushima Iwaki Energy Park

Able Co.

Kaita biomass blend firing
power station
Soma core industrial park
28 Fukushima
plant

Kaita Biomass Power Co. (HiroshimaGas, Chugoku Electric Power)
Soma Kyodo Jikahatsu Kaihatsu Godo
Kaisha29

Ehime

Saijo New No.1

30

Akita

31

Akita

27

672

USC

3,160

766

USC

3,140

797

4/2018

112

2021

112

3/2018

Shikoku Electric Power500

3/2023

Akita Port No.1 (tentative)

KENES, Marubeni

650

3/2024

Akita Port No.2 (tentative)

KENES, Marubeni

650

6/2024

112

2019

112

2019

600

2023

650

2023

650

2024

1,070

2024

600

2025

1,000

2025

1,000

2026

Hiroshima

32

Mie

33

Hokkaido

34 Yamaguchi

Unknown

112

35

Kanagawa

36

Kanagawa

37

Chiba

38 Yamaguchi
39

Chiba

40

Chiba

MC Kawajiri Energy Service (Mitsubishi
Unknown
Corp.)
Kushiro Power Station (Kushiro Coal
Kushiro Power Station
Mine, F-Power, IDI  Infrastructures,
Taiheiyo Kaihatsu)
Yamaguchi Ube Power
Nishiokinoyama No.1
(J-Power, Osaka Gas, Ube Industries,(tentative)Ltd.)
Yokosuka Power Plant, No.1 JERA (Tokyo Electric Power and(tentative)
Chugoku Electric Power)
Yokosuka Power Plant. No.2 JERA(Tokyo Electric Power and(tentative)
Chugoku Electric Power)
Chiba Coal Power (Chugoku Electric(tentative) Soga Coal PowerPower, JFE Steel Corporation)
Nishiokinoyama No.2
Yamaguchi Ube Power (J-Power,(tentative)
Osaka Gas, Ube Industries)
Chiba Sodegaura Energy (Kyushu
Chiba Sodegaura No.1
Electric Power, Idemitsu Kosan,  Tokyo(tentative)
Gas)
Chiba Sodegaura Energy (Kyushu
Chiba Sodegaura No.2
Electric Power, Idemitsu Kosan,  Tokyo(tentative)
Gas)

41

MiyazakiUnknown

Asahi Kasei Chemicals Co.

42

Chiba

Unknown

Kansai Electric PowerUnknown

672

Unknown

672

Unknown

672

USC

3,000

USC

4,330

760

USC

4,330

760

Unknown

672

Assessment inprogress

Unknown

512

Assessment inprogress

USC

3,600

USC

3,630

749

USC

3,630

749

USC

6,420

USC

3,600

Assessment inprogress

USC

6,000

Assessment inprogress

USC

6,000

Planning

Steam
Turbine (otherthan Sub-C/
SC/USC)360

Unknown

6,000

Unknown

6,000

SC
SC

3,350
3,350

800

Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress

800

590

60

3/2018

1,000

unknown

1,000

unknown

600
600

2020
2020

Planning(no official
announcement)
Planning(no official
announcement)
Canceled
Canceled

Sumitomo Corp.

112

2021

Canceled

Sub-C

672

600

J-POWERIchihara Thermal Power Generation
Godo Kaisha (KENES, Tonen General
Sekiyu)J-POWER

600

2021

Canceled

USC

4,050

770

1,000

2024

Canceled

USC

6,000

600

2027

Canceled

USC

4,050

770

112

Unknown

Canceled

Unknown

423

472

USC

6,000

USC

3,439

767

43 Fukushima Unknown

Under
construction

IGCC

2,620

652

44
45

Hyogo
Hyogo

46

MiyagiUnder
construction

47

Hyogo

Ako No.1
Ako No.2
Sendaiko-Takamatsu Power
Plant (tentative)
Takasago New-No.1

IGCC

2,620

652

48

Chiba

Ichihara

USC

5,690

758

49

Hyogo

Unknown

1,800

706

50

Iwate

Takasago New-No.2
Ofunato Biomass combustion
Maeda Corp.
plant

USC

5,377

767

Unknown

672

USC

3,680

760

USC

3,460

760

USC

3,460

Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
Under
construction

Assessment
completed
Assessment
completed
Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress

Soma Kyodo Power Company (TEPCO,
Chubu Electric Power,  Tohoku ElectricPower)
Kansai Electric Power
Kansai Electric PowerJapan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

7 Fukushima Soma energy park

Company/Operator

CO2
CO2
emissionemission
Technology
intensity
kt-CO2/g-CO2 /year
kWh

*1 List No. 1 to 8 are included as existing power plants in this paper as they have already started
operation.
Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Tracker (as of September 2018)21

Appendix I. List of Coal Power Plants Proposed in 2012 or Later (*1)
Area

Plant name1

Shizuoka

Suzukawa Energy Center

2

Hiroshima Osaki Cool Gen

3

Aichi

Nagoya No.2

4

MiyagiSendai Power Station

5

OkayamaMizushima Energy Center

6

MiyagiIshinomaki Hibarino No.1

8

Aichi

Meinan Kyodo Energy

9 Fukushima Hibikinada Energy Park
10
11

Akita
FukuokaNippon Paper Akita Power
Plant
Hibikinada thermal power
plant

Hofu Biomass-coal mixed
12 Yamaguchi
Power Plant
13
14

Hiroshima Takehara New No.1
Akita

Noshiro No.3

15

NagasakiMatsuura No.2

16

Ibaraki

Kashima No.2

17 Fukushima IGCC Nakoso

18 Fukushima IGCC Hirono
19

20

Aichi

Suzukawa Energy Center (Nippon
Paper Industries, Mitsubishi Corp.,
Chubu Electric Power)
Osaki Cool Gen (Chugoku ElectricPower, J-Power)
Nakayama Nagoya Kyodo Hatsuden(Gas and Power, Nakayama SteelWorks, Osaka Gas)
Sendai Power Station (KENES, Itochu
Enex)
Mizushima Energy Center (Kanden
Energy Solution, Mitsubishi Corp.,  
Mitsubishi Chemical)
Nippon Paper Industries Ishinomaki
Energy Center (Nippon Paper
Industries Co., Mitsubishi Corp.)
Soma Energy Park LLC
Meinan Kyodo Energy Co. (MeikoTrans Co., Seika Corp., Japan Energy
Partners)
Hibikinada Energy Park (Orix Corp.,
Hokuzai Transport)
Nippon Paper Industries Co.
Hibikinada thermal power plant (IDI
Infrastructures)
Air Water & Energia Power Yamaguchi
Corporation (Chugoku Electric Power,
Air Water Inc.)

Planning
Capacity
Operation
(MW)
date
112

9/2016

Operating

Sub-C

672

166

3/2017

Operating

IGCC

706

110

9/2017

Operating

Sub-C

660

112

10/2017

OperatingUnknown

672

112

12/2017

OperatingUnknown

672

149

3/2018Operating

Sub-C

894

112

4/2018OperatingUnknown672

31

2/2018Trial operation

Sub-C

187

112

7/2018

Unknown

682

610

112

10/2018

Unknown

763

864

112

2/2019Unknown

584

600

112

7/2019J-POWER

600

6/2020

Tohoku Electric Power600

6/2020Kyushu Electric Power
Kashima Power (J-Power, Nippon Steel& Sumikin Stainless Steel Corp.)
Fukushima Revitalization Power
Consortium (Mitsubishi Corp. Power,
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi
Electric, Tokyo Electric Power, Joban
Joint Power Co.)
Fukushima Revitalization Power
Consortium (Mitsubishi Corporation
Power, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,  Mitsubishi Electric, Tokyo Electric)

Status1,000

6/2020645

7/2020540

9/2020540

9/2021

Taketoyo No.5

Chubu Electric Power

1,070

3/202220 Yamaguchi

Tokuyama East Power
Generation No.3

TKE3 (Tokuyama,  Marubeni, Tokyo
Century)300

4/202221

ShimaneMisumi No.2

Chugoku Electric Power

1,000

11/2022

22

IbarakiKamisu Power station

Kamisu Power (Marubeni、 Kanden
Energy Solution)

112

2018

23

Ibaraki

Hitachinaka Kyodo No.1

Hitachinaka Generation (JERA)

650

2020

24

Hyogo

Kobe Power Plant No.3

Kobelco Power Kobe-2

650

2021

25

Hyogo

Kobe Power Plant No.4

Kobelco Power Kobe-2

650

2022

Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction

692

26 Fukushima Iwaki Energy Park

Able Co.

Kaita biomass blend firing
power station
Soma core industrial park
28 Fukushima
plant

Kaita Biomass Power Co. (HiroshimaGas, Chugoku Electric Power)
Soma Kyodo Jikahatsu Kaihatsu Godo
Kaisha29

Ehime

Saijo New No.1

30

Akita

31

Akita

27

672

USC

3,160

766

USC

3,140

797

4/2018

112

2021

112

3/2018

Shikoku Electric Power500

3/2023

Akita Port No.1 (tentative)

KENES, Marubeni

650

3/2024

Akita Port No.2 (tentative)

KENES, Marubeni

650

6/2024

112

2019

112

2019

600

2023

650

2023

650

2024

1,070

2024

600

2025

1,000

2025

1,000

2026

Hiroshima

32

Mie

33

Hokkaido

34 Yamaguchi

Unknown

112

35

Kanagawa

36

Kanagawa

37

Chiba

38 Yamaguchi
39

Chiba

40

Chiba

MC Kawajiri Energy Service (Mitsubishi
Unknown
Corp.)
Kushiro Power Station (Kushiro Coal
Kushiro Power Station
Mine, F-Power, IDI  Infrastructures,
Taiheiyo Kaihatsu)
Yamaguchi Ube Power
Nishiokinoyama No.1
(J-Power, Osaka Gas, Ube Industries,(tentative)Ltd.)
Yokosuka Power Plant, No.1 JERA (Tokyo Electric Power and(tentative)
Chugoku Electric Power)
Yokosuka Power Plant. No.2 JERA(Tokyo Electric Power and(tentative)
Chugoku Electric Power)
Chiba Coal Power (Chugoku Electric(tentative) Soga Coal PowerPower, JFE Steel Corporation)
Nishiokinoyama No.2
Yamaguchi Ube Power (J-Power,(tentative)
Osaka Gas, Ube Industries)
Chiba Sodegaura Energy (Kyushu
Chiba Sodegaura No.1
Electric Power, Idemitsu Kosan,  Tokyo(tentative)
Gas)
Chiba Sodegaura Energy (Kyushu
Chiba Sodegaura No.2
Electric Power, Idemitsu Kosan,  Tokyo(tentative)
Gas)

41

MiyazakiUnknown

Asahi Kasei Chemicals Co.

42

Chiba

Unknown

Kansai Electric PowerUnknown

672

Unknown

672

Unknown

672

USC

3,000

USC

4,330

760

USC

4,330

760

Unknown

672

Assessment inprogress

Unknown

512

Assessment inprogress

USC

3,600

USC

3,630

749

USC

3,630

749

USC

6,420

USC

3,600

Assessment inprogress

USC

6,000

Assessment inprogress

USC

6,000

Planning

Steam
Turbine (otherthan Sub-C/
SC/USC)360

Unknown

6,000

Unknown

6,000

SC
SC

3,350
3,350

800

Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress

800

590

60

3/2018

1,000

unknown

1,000

unknown

600
600

2020
2020

Planning(no official
announcement)
Planning(no official
announcement)
Canceled
Canceled

Sumitomo Corp.

112

2021

Canceled

Sub-C

672

600

J-POWERIchihara Thermal Power Generation
Godo Kaisha (KENES, Tonen General
Sekiyu)J-POWER

600

2021

Canceled

USC

4,050

770

1,000

2024

Canceled

USC

6,000

600

2027

Canceled

USC

4,050

770

112

Unknown

Canceled

Unknown

423

472

USC

6,000

USC

3,439

767

43 Fukushima Unknown

Under
construction

IGCC

2,620

652

44
45

Hyogo
Hyogo

46

MiyagiUnder
construction

47

Hyogo

Ako No.1
Ako No.2
Sendaiko-Takamatsu Power
Plant (tentative)
Takasago New-No.1

IGCC

2,620

652

48

Chiba

Ichihara

USC

5,690

758

49

Hyogo

Unknown

1,800

706

50

Iwate

Takasago New-No.2
Ofunato Biomass combustion
Maeda Corp.
plant

USC

5,377

767

Unknown

672

USC

3,680

760

USC

3,460

760

USC

3,460

Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
construction
Under
Under
construction

Assessment
completed
Assessment
completed
Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress
Assessment inprogress

Soma Kyodo Power Company (TEPCO,
Chubu Electric Power,  Tohoku ElectricPower)
Kansai Electric Power
Kansai Electric PowerJapan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

7 Fukushima Soma energy park

Company/Operator

CO2
CO2
emissionemission
Technology
intensity
kt-CO2/g-CO2 /year
kWh

*1 List No. 1 to 8 are included as existing power plants in this paper as they have already started
operation.
Source: Kiko Network, Japan Coal Plant Tracker (as of September 2018)21

Appendix II. The Number of Existing Power Plants(Comparison between governmental Electric Power Statistics and Kiko Network research) (*1,2,3)
Company/Operator

22

Research by Kiko Network
Number ofplants
7
2
1
2

15
4
5
4

Maximum
capacity (MW)
8,162
3,200
4,100
3,200

Units

1

2,000

1

2

2,000

3

2,250

3

7

2,250

2

2,900

3

6

2,900

3
3

2,460
2,590

3
5

4
6

2,460
2,581

1

1,700

1

4

1,700

1
2
1

1,800
1,106
1,400

1
3
1

2
4
2

1,800
1,106
1,400

1

28
18

1

149

1

1

149

1
1
1
1

112
112
112
112

1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1

112
112
112
112

1

80

1

1

80

1

166

1

1

166

1

110

117

44,119

0

0

1
91

112
46,76670*1 The government's Electric Power Statistics (Agency for Natural Resources and Energy) do notdisclose the number of units in each power plant. Also, in some cases, the number of power plants andmaximum output for some plants do not match other statistics or information released by companies.
For example, TEPCO Fuel & Power has two coal power plants, Hitachinaka and Hirono, but the
government statistics only count them as one. The government's count of Hokuriku Electric and

5

1,295

5

5

1,295

3

580

2

5

580

2

414

2

3

418

1

700

1

2

700

0

415

1

3

415

*3 Power plants colored in blue are plants planned in 2012 or later and are monitored as “new plants”

2
1
2

752
175
225

2
1
2

4
1
3

752
175
225

under the Japan Coal Plant Tracker (https://sekitan.jp/plant-map/en). However, those are included in

2

105

1

2

106

1

147

1

1

147

1

141

1

1

147

1

56

1

1

50

1

45

1

1

50

1

50

1

1

50

1
1
1

50
167
149

1
1
1

1
1
1

50
167
149

2

259

1

1

149

2
8
1
1
1
2

552
916
89
519
268
189

2
1
1

5
1
1

552
80
50

2

115

4
2

247
131

1

58

1

50

1

41

Chugoku Electric power plants also do not match with research by Kiko Network.
*2 No information publically available can be found about the existence and condition of power plants
colored in pink, mainly of paper and pulp companies, so those plants are not included in this report. Ifthey were all included, they would amount to a total additional capacity of 2,647 MW.  

this phase-out plan as they had already started operating as of April 2018.
*4 The power plants in this report cover 94.5% of the capacity reported in the government's Electric Power
Statistics.

23

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

J-POWERTEPCO Fuel & Power (*1)
Chubu Electric Power
Tohoku Electric PowerSoma Kyodo Power
Company
Hokkaido Electric Power
Hokuriku Electric Power
Company
Kyusyu Electric Power
Chugoku Electric Power
Joban Kyodo Power
Company
Kansai Electric Power
Shikoku Electric Power
Kobelco Power Kobe
Nippon Steel & Sumitomo
Metal Co.
Sumitomo Joint Electric
Power
Ube Industries
Sakata Kyodo Power
Company
Tobata Co-operative
Thermal Power
Okinawa Electric Power
Miike Power
Sumitomo Osaka Cement
Nippon Steel & Sumikin
Stainless Steel Corporation
Meikai power company
Mitsubishi Chemical
Corporation
Summit Onahama S PowerCorp.
Erex New Energy, Saeki
Mombetsu Biomass ElectricPower Co.
Asahi Kasei NS Energy
Tosa Power
Itoigawa Power Company
Nakayama Nagoya powercompany
Tokuyama
Nippon Paper Industries
Daicel Corp.
Daio Paper Corporation
Oji Paper Co.
Marusumi Paper Co.
Mitsubishi Materials
Corporation
Oji Materia Corporation
MCM Energy Service Co
Mitsubishi Paper Mills
LimitedTaiheiyo Cement
Corporation
Rengo Co.

Electric Power Statistics (Govʼt)(April 2018)
Number of
Maximum capacity
plants
(MW)
7
8,162
1
3,200
1
4,100
2
3,200

Idemitsu Kosan Co.
Erex New Energy
Nippon Paper Industries
Ishinomaki Energy CenterSuzukawa Energy Center
Soma energy park LLC
Sendai Power Station
Mizushima Energy Center
Hofu Energy Service Co.,Ltd.
Osaki Cool Gen
Nakayama Nagoya Kyodo
HatsudenSummit Handa Power
Corporation
Able Energy
Total (*4)

Appendix II. The Number of Existing Power Plants(Comparison between governmental Electric Power Statistics and Kiko Network research) (*1,2,3)
Company/Operator

22

Research by Kiko Network
Number ofplants
7
2
1
2

15
4
5
4

Maximum
capacity (MW)
8,162
3,200
4,100
3,200

Units

1

2,000

1

2

2,000

3

2,250

3

7

2,250

2

2,900

3

6

2,900

3
3

2,460
2,590

3
5

4
6

2,460
2,581

1

1,700

1

4

1,700

1
2
1

1,800
1,106
1,400

1
3
1

2
4
2

1,800
1,106
1,400

1

28
18

1

149

1

1

149

1
1
1
1

112
112
112
112

1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1

112
112
112
112

1

80

1

1

80

1

166

1

1

166

1

110

117

44,119

0

0

1
91

112
46,76670*1 The government's Electric Power Statistics (Agency for Natural Resources and Energy) do notdisclose the number of units in each power plant. Also, in some cases, the number of power plants andmaximum output for some plants do not match other statistics or information released by companies.
For example, TEPCO Fuel & Power has two coal power plants, Hitachinaka and Hirono, but the
government statistics only count them as one. The government's count of Hokuriku Electric and

5

1,295

5

5

1,295

3

580

2

5

580

2

414

2

3

418

1

700

1

2

700

0

415

1

3

415

*3 Power plants colored in blue are plants planned in 2012 or later and are monitored as “new plants”

2
1
2

752
175
225

2
1
2

4
1
3

752
175
225

under the Japan Coal Plant Tracker (https://sekitan.jp/plant-map/en). However, those are included in

2

105

1

2

106

1

147

1

1

147

1

141

1

1

147

1

56

1

1

50

1

45

1

1

50

1

50

1

1

50

1
1
1

50
167
149

1
1
1

1
1
1

50
167
149

2

259

1

1

149

2
8
1
1
1
2

552
916
89
519
268
189

2
1
1

5
1
1

552
80
50

2

115

4
2

247
131

1

58

1

50

1

41

Chugoku Electric power plants also do not match with research by Kiko Network.
*2 No information publically available can be found about the existence and condition of power plants
colored in pink, mainly of paper and pulp companies, so those plants are not included in this report. Ifthey were all included, they would amount to a total additional capacity of 2,647 MW.  

this phase-out plan as they had already started operating as of April 2018.
*4 The power plants in this report cover 94.5% of the capacity reported in the government's Electric Power
Statistics.

23

Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out by 2030

J-POWERTEPCO Fuel & Power (*1)
Chubu Electric Power
Tohoku Electric PowerSoma Kyodo Power
Company
Hokkaido Electric Power
Hokuriku Electric Power
Company
Kyusyu Electric Power
Chugoku Electric Power
Joban Kyodo Power
Company
Kansai Electric Power
Shikoku Electric Power
Kobelco Power Kobe
Nippon Steel & Sumitomo
Metal Co.
Sumitomo Joint Electric
Power
Ube Industries
Sakata Kyodo Power
Company
Tobata Co-operative
Thermal Power
Okinawa Electric Power
Miike Power
Sumitomo Osaka Cement
Nippon Steel & Sumikin
Stainless Steel Corporation
Meikai power company
Mitsubishi Chemical
Corporation
Summit Onahama S PowerCorp.
Erex New Energy, Saeki
Mombetsu Biomass ElectricPower Co.
Asahi Kasei NS Energy
Tosa Power
Itoigawa Power Company
Nakayama Nagoya powercompany
Tokuyama
Nippon Paper Industries
Daicel Corp.
Daio Paper Corporation
Oji Paper Co.
Marusumi Paper Co.
Mitsubishi Materials
Corporation
Oji Materia Corporation
MCM Energy Service Co
Mitsubishi Paper Mills
LimitedTaiheiyo Cement
Corporation
Rengo Co.

Electric Power Statistics (Govʼt)(April 2018)
Number of
Maximum capacity
plants
(MW)
7
8,162
1
3,200
1
4,100
2
3,200

Idemitsu Kosan Co.
Erex New Energy
Nippon Paper Industries
Ishinomaki Energy CenterSuzukawa Energy Center
Soma energy park LLC
Sendai Power Station
Mizushima Energy Center
Hofu Energy Service Co.,Ltd.
Osaki Cool Gen
Nakayama Nagoya Kyodo
HatsudenSummit Handa Power
Corporation
Able Energy
Total (*4)

Published by: Kiko Network https://www.kikonet.org
November 2018
Tokyo Ofﬁce 6F, Ichibancho-Murakami Bldg., 9-7, Ichibancho,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0082, JAPANTEL: +81-3-3263-9210 FAX: +81-3-3263-9463 E-mail: tokyo@kikonet.org
Kyoto Ofﬁce #305 Takakura Bldg. Takakura-dori, Shijo-agaru,
Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8124, JAPANTEL: +81-75-254-1011 FAX: +81-75-254-1012 E-mail: kyoto@kikonet.org
Authors: Kimiko Hirata, Hiroshi Ito