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New Energy World
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Japan puzzles over hydrogen strategy
20/9/2023
8 min read
Feature
Japan created the world’s first hydrogen energy strategy in 2017. Following heavy criticism, the government revised the strategy earlier this year. However, John Boyd reports that the new plan is also being challenged due to its focus on blue, and even grey, hydrogen production.
In 2017, the Japanese government became the first in the world to set out a hydrogen energy strategy. But the plan came under widespread criticism, particularly for its lack of support for renewable-based green hydrogen, and for falling way short of the numbers it set for the take-up of fuel cells and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs).
In June this year, Japan revised its hydrogen strategy. Yet despite a government declaration to realise a carbon-neutral society by 2050, the updated strategy continues to emphasise the use of grey and blue hydrogen, which does little to reduce carbon emissions, say the critics.
The original Basic Hydrogen Strategy aimed to utilise hydrogen as an important, versatile energy source, improve the country’s energy diversification and security, and help reduce carbon emissions – at least in the long term.