Fukushima meltdowns set nuclear energy debate on its ear

[Ghost Dog]

1. Tough test for Japan's renewable energy strategy

From: The Australian September 02, 2011 12:00AM - JAPAN is poised to undergo a radical change of direction on energy policy with both its government and its industrial sector belatedly embracing renewable energy.

Deposed prime minister Naoto Kan strongarmed lawmakers into passing a feed-in tariff law creating preferential pricing for large-scale renewable energy projects as the price for him quitting. And some of Japan's major corporations, including Softbank, Sharp, West Holdings, Tokio Marine, Mitsui and Showa Shell, are forging ahead on major plans for photovoltaic power plants.

The law forces power companies to buy all power produced by large-scale renewable projects at a price premium expected to be between Y=35 (43c) and Y=40 (49c) per kilowatt. End users will ultimately bear the extra cost.

Optimists hope it will provide a new field for Japan's precision hi-tech manufacturers to claim as their own, although they are starting from well behind other countries including China.

/... http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/tough-test-for-japans-renewable-energy-strategy/story-e6frg9if-1226127646251