Japan to bet big on hydrogen to meet 2050 zero-emission goal

Non-carbon emitting fuel would be used for power generation, autos and steelmaking

A Toyota Mirai is fueled at a hydrogen fueling station in La Canada, California. Japan is counting on the fuel to make up for shortcomings in wind and solar power. (Photo courtesy of the National Renewable Energy Lab)

Nikkei staff writers

December 8, 2020 08:22 JST

TOKYO -- Japan will boost the amount of power it plans to generate using hydrogen, looking to burn about 10 million tons annually by 2030, roughly equivalent to the output of more than 30 nuclear reactors.

The new target is being set to allow Japan to reach zero net carbon emissions by 2050, a goal set by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in October.