Renewable Energy Can Displace Nuclear in Japan

After the recent nuclear accident in Japan, the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Geothermal Energy Association compiled data on the potential of wind and geothermanl energy in Japan. They concluded that offshore wind turbines could generate up to 40 percent of Japan’s electricity needs. The Japan Wind Energy Association projects the wind market there will grow from 150 megawatts in 2000 to 30,000 megawatts in 2030. Geothermal energy could supply more than three percent of Japan’s 1996 electricity use, enough to replace six nuclear plants.