Tokyo to Reform Power Supply System towards 2020

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) highlighted reformation of the power supply system as one of eight pillars of Action Program 2013 drawn up in December 2012 for "Tokyo Vision 2020." The TMG aims to break form its previous dependence on nuclear power generation and create a society with a highly efficient, independent and distributed energy system.

Planned in the Action Program are: to construct a 1 million kilowatt-class natural gas thermal power plant; to renovate aging thermal power plants; to create an infrastructure fund to invest in projects for 100,000 to 300,000 kilowatt-class power generation and renewable energy as joint initiatives between the public and private sectors; and to create power independent islands using geothermal power in Hachijo Island, solar power in Miyake Island and hydro power in Mikura Island.

In addition, the TMG will promote private power generation at homes and in office buildings, install photovoltaic power generation systems in its facilities, and prepare for the creation of a smart city.

The TMG will budget 123 billion yen (about US$ 1.31 billion) for energy and the environment in three years starting 2013, aiming to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent from 2000 levels by 2020.