Feed-in tariff for geothermal and other renewable sources proposes in Japan

In Japan, a trade ministry panel has proposed expanding the feed-in tariff to require utilities to buy electricity at a premium from renewable power generators operating geothermal projects, hydropower stations and wind turbines. Utilities would buy the power at between 17 cents and 23 cents for between 10 and 20 years. Japan wants to supply 10% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, up from what is about 3% currently. Another feed in tariff, which requires utilities to buy surplus solar power supplied to the grid by homes and businesses at as much as 54 cents a kilowatt hour, was introduced in November.