Japan considers scaling back LNG use

Global LNG demand might not reach previously forecast heights this decade as Tokyo mulls an increased role for renewables

Japan's government has published a new draft energy plan for 2030 that envisages more renewable power, reduced gas and coal-fired generation, as well as steady nuclear targets as the country seeks to meet its 2050 decarbonisation goals. The revised draft anticipates renewables becoming by far the country’s single largest energy source by 2030, whereas previous plans placed renewables third—below LNG and coal. But it is not clear when the revised plans—which were published by the Resources and Energy Study group subcommittee of the powerful Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry (Meti)—might become official policy. Tokyo now wants to give “top priority to renewable energy” to reach 36-38p