【Pamphlet】Risks of J-Power’s Climate Policies

This pamphlet has been developed to explain the risks of climate change measures to J-Power shareholders and investors and calling for a review of its coal-fired power generation business and the development of a coal-fired phase-out plan consistent with the Paris Agreement and the 1.5°C target.

 The pamphlet, distributed at J-POWER’s 2024 General Shareholders’ Meeting, explains that the international community has already agreed to phase out coal-fired power plants will be phased out, that the GENESIS Matsushima Plan cannot be an emission reduction measure, that hydrogen/ammonia co-firing and CCS are not “magic wands for decarbonization,” and that other emission reduction measures planned for other J-POWER’s coal-fired power plants will not be completed in time. By comparing monthly thermal utilization rates and monthly electricity sales from coal-fired power generation over the past 10 years, the report also points out that coal-fired power plants owned by J-POWER may be becoming a stranded asset, from what it used to be a adjustment power source.

 Although this brochure was prepared for J-POWER shareholders and investors, we believe it will be of interest to those who are interested in the GENESIS Matsushima Project and J-POWER’s coal-fired power generation business, and we hope you will find it useful.


【Pamphlet】GENESIS Matsushima Project- An Overview and Issues

This pamphlet explains the GENESIS Matsushima Project by J-Power and issues associated with it.

 GENESIS Matsushima Project is a project being implemented in Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture to continue the operation of old and inefficient coal-fired power plant by adding a coal gasification facility. This pamphlet provides an overview of the Project, and explains various issues associated with the project, such as that it leads to not CO2 reduction, but more emission, its air pollution control measures are inadequate, and that it hinders the introduction of renewable energy, using graphs and table.

FAQ

Followings are frequently asked questions about the GENESIS Matsushima project. (To be updated as needed)

Q. What is the current status of GENESIS Matsushima Plan?

Q. What is the GENESIS Matsushima Plan?

Q. Why is the GENESIS Matsushima Project a problem?

Status of GENESIS Matsushima Plan (as of Jun. 2023)

J-Power is now conducting the Present State Survey, Modeling, and Evaluation based on the Scoping Document.
J-Power is planning to begin construction in 2024 and start operation in FY2026.

What is the GENESIS Matsushima Project?

Currently, at Matsushima Thermal Power Station in Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture, two old and inefficient coal-fired power generation units have been in operation for more than 40 years (Unit 1 (500MW) started operation in January 1981 and Unit 2 (500MW) started operation in June of the same year).

J-Power, which owns the Matsushima Thermal Power Station, plans to add a coal gasification facility to Unit 2 of the plant to slightly improve its efficiency and continue its operation. In the future, the plant may become one of the key facility for co-firing ammonia, manufacturing coal-derived hydrogen, and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), where CO2 captured from the flue gas associated with power generation will be transported to other areas for utilization or buried underground. Currently, J-Power is in the process of conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for this project.

Why is the GENESIS Matsushima Project a problem?

(1) It emits a lot of CO2 and accelerates global warming

The climate crisis is becoming more serious, and we must limit the increase in the earth’s average temperature to within 1.5°C of pre-industrial levels to avoid a more dangerous climate. Countries around the world are required to achieve a carbon neutral society in 2050. Therefore, Japan, as a developed country, must phase out coal-fired power generation by 2030 (phase out). Coal-fired power generation is the energy source that emits the largest amount of CO2 among thermal power plants. It emits almost twice as much compared with natural gas in terms of CO2 emission intensity. It is also the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Japan’s power generation sector.

(2) Continuous CO2 emissions in the future by extending the operation of aging power plants

If fully operational, the Matsushima coal-fired power plant will emit about 6 million tons of CO2 per year, which is an enormous amount, equivalent to about three-quarters of Nagasaki Prefecture’s annual emissions of 7,839,000 tons (indirect emissions in FY 2018*). And even if the GENESIS Matsushima Plan is implemented, it will not lead to significant emission reductions. Nagasaki Prefecture has issued a carbon-neutral declaration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. Nevertheless, the continued emissions from aging power plants that have been in operation for more than 40 years is problematic because it undermines the efforts of Nagasaki Prefecture as a whole.

(3) Inadequate air pollution control and health impact raise concern

Coal, which is used as fuel, contains a variety of pollutants, and burning it emits air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter. These can affect respiratory diseases such as asthma. They also lead to the formation of PM2.5, which pollutes the air.

Because the Matsushima Thermal Power Station is old, it emits higher concentrations of air pollutants than other coal-fired power plants, and its environmental measures are inadequate. This is a problem unique to thermal power plants that burn fossil fuels.

J-Power claims that the GENESIS Matsushima project will reduce emission concentrations, but the figures are still significantly higher than those of other power plants.

(4) A stumbling block to the introduction of renewable energies
At a time when there is an international call for a decarbonized society and a shift away from coal-fired thermal power generation, we must create a society that actively promotes the introduction of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, rather than coal-fired thermal power, which accelerates climate change. In the service area of Kyushu Electric Power Company, where Matsushima Thermal Power Station is located, the number of hours during which electricity generated from renewable energy sources exceeds power demand is increasing, and output control of solar and wind power is being implemented. In other words, prolonging the life of thermal power plants could be a stumbling block or a brake on renewable energy in the region, and J-Power should consider presenting a proposal that does not implement the project and more flexible operation of the power system.

Timeline-GENESIS Matsushima Plan Environmental Impact Assessment

  Date                       Events
16th Apr. 2021   J-Power announces they have began preparation for conducting environmental impact assessment for the GENESIS Matsushima Plan
28th Sep.J-Power announces (in Japanese) they have submitted the Document on Primary Environmental Impact Consideration for GENESIS Matsushima Plan and begun public notification
15th Oct.Call opened for submission of public comments on the Document on Primary Environmental Impact Consideration for the GENESIS Matsushima Plan
29th Oct.855 comments were collected and submitted to the J-Power in response to the call
12th Nov.Nagasaki Prefecture releases the Governor’s opinion on the Document on Primary Environmental Impact Consideration for the GENESIS Matsushima Plan

In the opinion, the governor allows the EIA to proceed to the next stage. Nonetheless, in response to the oppositions and concerns raised toward the Plan, he also advises the J-Power to provide information and explanation from the early stages of the project planning, and to consult with the local community in good faith. 
26th Nov.Webinar “Plan to extend the life of an aging power plant has emerged in Nagasaki – Problem of GENESIS Matsushima Plan and Youth Action” is held (Japanese)
9th Dec.Press Release (in Japanese) is published by Kiko Network in advance of the submission of the Environment Minister’s opinion to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
16th Dec.Ministry of the Environment submits the Minister’s opinion to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Press Release (in Japanese) by Kiko Network on the Environment Minister’s opinion.
24th Dec.Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases the Minister’s opinion  (in Japanese) on the Document on Primary Environmental Impact Consideration for the GENESIS Matsushima Plan

In the opinion, he advises J-Power to introduce “carbon-free” alternative fuels such as biomass and ammonia as early as possible, to conform to Japan’s new mid-term target for GHG reduction (46% reduction in FY2030 (compared to FY 2013)) and net-zero by 2050 as an utility overall, to reconsider the implementation of the Plan if a roadmap for carbon dioxide emission reduction cannot be drawn to meet the 2030 and 2050 national targets, to assess and conduct studies on the environmental impact of the operation of the existing power plant, and to fully take into account the opinions of local governments and involve local residents.
28th Jan. 2022Press Release (in Japanese) by Kiko Network on the Economy, Trade and Industry Minister’s opinion.
25th Mar.Action is carried out in front of J-Power on the Day of Climate Action
(Media coverage (in Japanese) (Buzzfeed))
28th Jun.Standing Action is carried out to coincide with Annual General Meeting of J-Power (Media Coverage (in Japanese)(Kanagawa Shimbun)
29th Jul.Open Symposium “Climate Crisis and Crisis of Peace” is held at Nagasaki University (Event page)
30th Aug.J-Power announces (in Japanese) that they have submitted and began public notification of the Draft of the Assessment Method (Scoping Document) for the GENESIS Matsushima Plan
3rd Oct.Public notification period of  Draft of the Assessment Method (Scoping Document) for the GENESIS Matsushima Plan ends.
3,570 comments are submitted to J-Power after various organizations call for submissions (1, 2, 3).
22th Dec.Nagasaki Prefecture releases the Governor’s opinion on the Draft of the Assessment Method (Scoping Document) for the GENESIS Matsushima Plan

In the opinion, he advises J-Power to provide adequate explanations to local residents and others about the Plan, and to explain in detail the progress of the project to local residents and related organizations. Also he requests an estimate of carbon dioxide emission when the Plan is implemented.
24th Feb. 2023The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released Minister’s notice  (in Japanese) to the Draft of the Assessment Method (Scoping Document) for GENESIS Matsushima Plan, allowing the EIA of the Plan to proceed to the next stage.
25th Feb.Result of the submission of comments on the Draft of the Assessment Method (Scoping Document) for the GENESIS Matsushima Plan(in Japanese)
26-27th Feb.Screening of the film “NEWTOK” (Organized by Patagonia) and workshop “Let’ think Nagasaki’s “Zero Carbon” ~ Future of Nagasaki and Energy” (Organized by Kiko Network) is held
Mar.Releases pamphlet “GENESIS Matsushima Project- An Overview and Issues”
3rd Mar.Submits public comment (in Japanese) on the Draft Action Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures (Regional Measures)of Saikai City