Countries: Power and Generation

countries: We're not planning to review our infrastructure export policy. ; Tokyo's infrastructure export strategy stipulates that Japan will in principle provide aid to install cutting-edge power generation facilities upon requests from countries as long as they are compelled to choose coal as their source of energy, according to The Japan Times. The government says it remains committed to coal due to it being a cost-effective power generation solution, and that new technology installed in place of aging, less efficient power stations can help countries reduce their overall emissions. There is a need for coal-fired power generation, mainly from developing Asian countries where demand for energy is surging, the source said. The government maintains that renewable energy sources remain too unreliable and expensive, despite their wide-scale uptake around the globe and significant, ongoing reductions in their cost. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on countries to halt construction of new coal-fired plants from 2020, leading to expectations that Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi could voice a shift in Japan's position on coal in a speech scheduled for Wednesday. RELATED STORIESChina's climate paradox A leader in coal and in clean energy Japan bags satirical 'Fossil of the Day' prize for clinging onto coal-fired power Report names Japan's top three mega-banks as the world's biggest lenders to coal plant developers Japanese students call for greater awareness of climate change During a U.N. climate conference currently being held in Madrid, Japan received a disparaging Fossil of the Day award from international environmental group Climate Action Network after the country's industry minister spoke about a plan to continue using coal-fired power. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.