International
Japan targets 40-50% power supply from renewables by 2040
(Reuters) – Japan wants renewable energy to account for up to 50% of its electricity mix by fiscal year 2040 with nuclear power taking up another 20%, according to a draft of its revised basic energy policy, as it makes a clean energy push while meeting rising power demand.
As the world’s second-largest importer of liquefied natural gas and a major consumer of Middle Eastern oil, Japan and its basic energy plans are drawing global attention from oil, gas and coal producers.
While the previous energy plan’s primary focus was decarbonisation, it has shifted greater attention to energy security given heightened geopolitical risks, including the Russia-Ukraine war.
The industry ministry’s policy draft, unveiled on Tuesday, proposes increasing renewables to between 40% and 50% of power supplies in the 2040 fiscal year, roughly doubling the 22.9% share in the 2023 fiscal year and exceeding the 2030 target of between 36% and 38%.
Thermal power usage, particularly from inefficient coal-fired power plants, is set to decrease to between 30% and 40% of the mix by 2040 from 68.6% in 2023, although the draft energy policy does not specify the breakdown of coal, gas and oil.
Advocates for renewable energy have criticised the draft, however, noting the lack of a roadmap for phasing out coal-fired power.
Mika Ohbayashi, a director at the Renewable Energy Institute, also pointed to the small target share for wind power, between 4% and 8%, compared with 20% for nuclear.
That could leave Japan lagging in wind power compared with other markets worldwide.
The draft also called for the government and the private sector to secure long-term LNG contracts to hedge against price hikes and supply disruption risks.
“It is necessary to utilise LNG-fired power as a realistic means of transition,” it said.Japan’s 2040 nuclear power target is in line with the 2030 target of between 20% and 22%, despite the challenges faced by the industry after the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Nuclear power accounted for 8.5% of the country’s power supply in 2023.
The new energy plan removes the previous target of “reducing reliance on nuclear power as much as possible” and includes plans to build innovative next-generation reactors at nuclear power sites owned by operators who have decided to decommission existing reactors.
The 2040 forecasts assume an increase in electricity demand of between 12% and 22% from 2023 levels, particularly from semiconductor factories and data centres. All targets are provisional.
The new proposed energy plan is more realistic than the existing targets through 2030, some analysts say, indicating that the government wants to attract investments in renewable energy, including storage batteries, and keep LNG as a transition fuel.
International
Ugandan govt detains 62 Nigerians for ‘operating church without work permits’
Simon Peter Mundeyi, spokesperson for the country’s ministry of internal affairs, said the Nigerians often pose as gospel preachers and engage in other illegal activities.
Photo of the detained Nigerian preachers ( NCIC/X)
The Ugandan government has detained 62 Nigerians for “illegally operating” a church, as well as living and working in the country without valid permits.
In a statement posted on its X handle on Wednesday, the Ugandan national citizenship and immigration control (NCIC), said that the arrest followed a tip-off after learning that the individuals were operating illegally without the required permits.
“Following a tip-off, our enforcement team has arrested 62 Nigerian nationals operating illegally in Adjumani (without work permits),” the statement reads.
The group, primarily found operating a church among other things, is now being processed for prosecution under Uganda’s immigration.
Simon Peter Mundeyi, spokesperson for the country’s ministry of internal affairs, said the Nigerians often pose as gospel preachers and engage in other illegal activities.
He added that they are currently being held at the ministry’s Namanve facility, where they are undergoing legal processes that could result in deportation, fines, or blacklisting.
International
US war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far, says Pentagon official
Jules Hurst, who is performing the duties of the comptroller, told lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee that most of that money was for munitions.
The United States’ war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far, a senior Pentagon official said on Wednesday, providing the first official estimate of the military’s price tag for the conflict.
With just six months before midterm elections in which President Donald Trump’s Republicans may face an uphill battle to keep their House majority, Democrats are riding high in public opinion polls as they attempt to link the unpopular Iran war with affordability.
Jules Hurst, who is performing the duties of the comptroller, told lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee that most of that money was for munitions.
Hurst did not detail what that cost estimate included and whether it took into account the projected costs of rebuilding and repairing base infrastructure in the Middle East damaged in the conflict.
Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, responded to Hurst: “I’m glad you answered that question. Because we’ve been asking for a hell of a long time, and no one’s given us the number.”
(Reuters)
.…as gunman invades dinner party venue. US secret service begins probes
The United States Secret Service has launched an investigation into a shooting incident that occurred in Washington during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton.
In a statement, the agency said it is working with the Metropolitan Police Department to determine the circumstances of the incident, which occurred near a security screening area.
The shooting was reported close to the main magnetometer checkpoint used to screen guests, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement officers on duty.
The Chief of Communications, United States Secret Service, Anthony Guglielmi, on its X handle today, confirmed that all protected individuals, including the president and first lady, were safe following the incident.
One suspect has been taken into custody, while authorities continue to assess the condition of those involved.Guglielmi said teams are on the ground actively investigating and gathering information, adding that updates will be provided as more details are confirmed.
The Suspects.
“We will provide updates as they become available and confirm information. Our teams are on the ground assessing the situation and investigating. All of our protectees are safe,” he added.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about security at major public events in the US capital, with authorities expected to review procedures as the investigation continues.
WATCH VIDEO BELOW:
Obi Dumps ADC, Here’s Why
Obi, Kwankwaso Will Move To The NDC As The 2027 Chessboard Takes Shape
Obi, Kwankwaso dumping ADC for Seriake Dickson ‘s NDC — Galadima
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Business3 days agoNigerian Lawmakers Demand Arrest of World Bank Official Calling for Reinstatement of Petroleum Import Licences
-
Politics3 days agoBREAKING: Supreme Court Again Voids PDP’s Ibadan Convention In The Second Appeal
-
News3 days agoPresident Tinubu Designates Joseph Tegbe New Minister of Power
-
News3 days ago
Egbin Shutdown Throws Lagos Into Darkness, says NISO
-
News2 days agoFrom 10-16 to 8-hour Workday, The Story of Worker’s Day May 1
-
Opinions2 days agoNigeria: Act Now Before It’s Too Late, By Emeka Monye
-
Politics3 days agoBreaking: Supreme Court restores David Mark-led ADC leadership
-
News2 days agoContractor Dies in Egbin Power Plant ‘s Accident