Ministry of the Environment puts effort into introduction of renewable energy in the region
The budget request for the Ministry of the Environment's 2023 budget has been revealed. We will request 40 billion yen, double the initial budget for FY2010, to support the introduction of renewable energy by local governments. We will seek an additional 40 billion yen in fiscal investment and loans for the public-private fund "Decarbonization Support Organization" that invests in promising decarbonization projects by the private sector.
The Ministry of the Environment has put together a plan requesting 429.7 billion yen, a 40% increase in total, from the general account and the special account for energy measures.
In fiscal 2010, we selected 26 projects from ambitious local governments for subsidies to support renewable energy projects by local governments, and started supporting them. One-half to three-fourths of the equipment costs for renewable energy and energy conservation will be subsidized. The goal is to have at least 100 regions leading the way in decarbonization by fiscal 2030.
The Decarbonization Support Organization is scheduled to be established this autumn, and has secured 20 billion yen in fiscal 2022 financial investment. In fiscal 2011, we will seek to double the amount, and will call for joint investment and loans from private companies and financial institutions based on the fund of the organization, aiming for a total decarbonization-related project cost of 300 billion yen.
The government has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 46% from the fiscal 2013 level by fiscal 2030. Expanding the introduction of renewable energy will lead to an improvement in the energy self-sufficiency rate, so it will also be a response to concerns about high resource prices and shortages of electricity and fuel.
