Japan Solar Update: No.85 (Feb 26 ~ March 1, 2024)
The revised Renewable Energy Act is scheduled to be enacted on April 1, 2024.
<Key points>
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- The revised Act on Special Measures Concerning Procurement of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources by Electricity Utilities (the revised Renewable Energy Act) is scheduled to be enacted on April 1, 2024, which is expected to promote the improvement of the environment for grid management and additional investment in existing renewable energy generation facilities (repowering)
- The business discipline will be strengthened and the following measures will be taken: Requiring to hold briefing sessions to local residents as a requirement to obtain the FIT/FIP approval; taking measures to prevent and promptly solve any violation of the rules; and ensuring the appropriate disposal related to the additional installation and replacement of PV modules
Revised Renewable Energy Act Will be enacted on April 1, 2024
(1) Environment improvement for grid management which contributes to the introduction of renewable energy (RE)
(2) Promotion of additional investment for the maximum utilization of existing RE generation facilities
Establish a new scheme applying new purchase prices that are set separately from the existing facilities to the additionally invested facilities
(3) Strengthening of the business discipline to introduce RE in harmony with local communities
1. Tighten approval procedures concerning the acquisition of related approvals and permits
Requiring to obtain approvals and permits related to development of the land which may lead to disaster risks as a requirement for the application for the FIT/FIP approval
2. Requirement to hold briefing sessions for local residents, etc., for the FIT/ FIP approval
Require prior notification to neighboring residents such as holding briefing sessions
It will be required to hold briefing sessions for extra-high and high voltage facilities and give prior notification other than briefing sessions in principle for low voltage facilities*
* Rooftop and residential PV systems are not subject to the prior notification
Scope of the “Neighboring residents”
Low voltage: 100 m; Extra-high and high voltage: 300 m; The target of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) (Only first-class projects): within 1 km
Change of project business plan
Example of change In case of increasing the approved output or PV module output by
≥ 20% or ≥ 50 kW
Present concrete requirements such as the contents of the briefings (briefing lists, proceedings, etc.), the dates of the briefings
4. Take measures to prevent and promptly solve any violation of the rules
5. Ensuring the appropriate disposal related to the additional installation and replacement of PV modules
Figure 1 Summary of the revised Renewable Energy Act
Source: Materials of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), compiled by RTS Corporation