The 46th meeting of the Subcommittee for Large-volume Introduction of Renewable Energy and Next Generation Electricity Network was held on November 15, 2022.

<Key points>

1. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced that, among ≥10 kW PV projects, 66,973 projects totaling 7.76 GW will reach the due date of approval cancellation under the approval cancellation system as of October 26, 2022
2. As for the projects which have not started operation and exceeded the deadline for starting operation as of April 1, 2022, the deadline of submitting applications for starting grid connection construction has been set on February 28, 2023. If such applications are accepted by March 31, 2023, the approval cancellation will be postponed to April 1, 2025
3. As for ≥2 MW extra-high voltage projects, the deadline of submitting applications to the METI Minister for checking the progress has been set on February 28, 2023 as well.

• • For all the projects, if applications for starting grid connection construction are accepted by the deadline, the approval cancellation will be postponed to April 1, 2025. As for ≥2 MW extra-high voltage projects, the deadline of approval cancellation will be extended to the termination of the purchase period if the completion of procedures (METI Minister recommendation on the construction plan filing or the environmental impact assessment preparation document, etc.) was confirmed by the submission of application to the METI Minister for checking the progress
  • As for the projects for retail power selling, applications are submitted to general power transmission and distribution operators via electricity retailers. Therefore, it is necessary to submit the applications to the electricity retailers with sufficient time before the deadline.

Figure 1 Summary of discussions on the approval cancellation system

Source：Materials of the 46th meeting of the Subcommittee for Large-volume Introduction of Renewable Energy and Next Generation Electricity Network (November 15, 2022), compiled by RTS Corporation

<Key points 2>

1. Basically, the subjects of output curtailment of nonfirm connection in local grids are power sources connected to local grids and distribution grids (except <10 kW projects). The curtailment method should be similar to the redispatching method of a certain order in the bulk power system
2. The direction of mitigation measures following the introduction of the charge on the power producer side was presented. For already-approved FIT/FIP projects, adjustment by surcharge or exemption of application, etc. while considering the national burden was proposed
3. In the previous discussion, there was a proposal of not making adjustments to commercial PV projects during the period of considering the appropriate profits. With various feedbacks received, the proposal of the Secretariat is planned to be presented at the next meeting in the direction of this meeting

Figure 2 Summary of the discussion on the next-generation electricity network and the recovery of expenses concerning power transmission and distribution

Source: Materials of the 46th meeting of the Subcommittee for Large-volume Introduction of Renewable Energy and Next Generation Electricity Network (November 15, 2022), compiled by RTS Corporation