21 March 2012: The March edition of the newsletter of the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) reports on issues surrounding energy security and conservation, from electrical power system reform to policy reforms to support cleaner energy.

The newsletter reports meetings of the Fundamental Issues Subcommittee of Japan concerning revisions to the Basic Energy plan, with deliberations focused on: energy security; energy conservation; renewable energy; and causes and countermeasures reported by investigations into the Fukashima nuclear accident. The newsletter further notes discussions on the future direction of the electric power utility system, with reforms considered to create a decentralized, distributed power system that involves: active consumer participation in the electricity market; the promotion of renewable energy; the efficient use of fossil fuels; and a review of the dependency on nuclear power.

The newsletter also highlights the increased importance of energy conservation in Japan ever since 2011 earthquake, and the economic consequences this has had, particularly within industry. The newsletter further elaborates on: recent developments in Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) markets, with imports increasingly in Japan; the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) in Germany and its lessons and implications for Japan’s planned renewable power purchasing scheme; and more.

IEEJ is an associate member of the Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development (GNESD), a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) facilitated knowledge network on energy, development and environment issues. [Publication: IEEJ Newsletter March 2012 No. 102]