Nagano Prefecture in Japan hit a 70% energy self-sufficiency target four years ahead of schedule, more than doubling its renewable generation capacity over one fiscal year on the strength of a successful feed-in tariff program.
With its population falling and the local economy maturing, Nagano introduced a five-year regional plan that emphasizes energy and environmental self-sufficiency, Japan For Sustainability reports. “According to a category breakdown by renewable type of generation capacity in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012, solar power generation more than doubled to 427,000 kilowatts, small-scale hydroelectric power generation expanded from 300 to 700 kilowatts, and biomass/waste power generation grew from 5,800 to 7,500 kilowatts.”
