Following concerns that Japan may not meet its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Nikkei newspaper has reported that Japan’s Environment Minister, Yoshio Mochizuki, plans to submit letters of opposition to the Trade Minister for two new coal-fired power projects.
The Japanese Environment Ministry is evaluating environmental impact assessment documents submitted for the projects but no final outlook on whether the minister will oppose them has been made. However, it is only the Trade Ministry that can give approval to build a power plant.
The projects are planned in Aichi and Chiba. Chubu Electric Power Co. plans to set up a 1070 MW coal-fired unit to replace older oil-fired units in Aichi prefecture. Chiba-Sodegaura Energy Co. plans to build a 2000 MW plant in Chiba. This is a venture between Idemitsu Kosan Co., Kyushu Electric Power Co. and Tokyo Gas Co.
Edited from source: Bloomsberg by Harleigh Hobbs