Generation capacity of hydropower Japan 2013-2022
Hydropower in Japan
In 2020, solar power overtook hydropower as the largest renewable energy source in electricity production in Japan. Both energy sources generated close to 80 terawatt hours that year.Most fully developed hydropower plants in Japan were conventional run-of-river plants. This type of hydropower station uses the natural flow of water to generate energy, without using a reservoir.
Renewable energy in Japan
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be less dependent on fossil fuel imports, the Japanese government currently aims to increase the use of low-carbon energy sources such as renewables and nuclear energy. In recent years the share of renewables in electricity production increased to close to 20 percent.The country currently makes investments in solar power a priority. Japan was one of the first countries to use floating solar panels. These new trends increased the attention in solar energy of both domestic and foreign investors and will likely lead to the expansion of the sector in the future.