Kyushu Electric Power

In 2019, Kyushu achieved its 2030 emissions intensity target of 370 gCO2e/kWh which had been developed as part of the Electric Power Council for a Low-carbon Society (ELCS). Kyushu exceeded this target in 2018 lowering its emissions intensity to 347 gCO2e/kWh, Kyushu’s current targets aim to reduce its emissions intensity by 30% and scope 1 emissions by 26% in 2030, compared to 2013. Progress against this target could not be assessed, as all data required for this assessment was not reported. The company could strengthen its efforts in reporting and actions against these targets.

Kyushu decreased its scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity from 528 gCO2e/kWh in 2015 to 370 gCO2e/kWh in 2019, despite it dropping to 347 gCO2e/kWh in 2018. Kyushu has reduced its past scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity at a rate which is aligned with its 1.5°C pathway. Despite this, Kyushu is projected to exceed its carbon budget by 2035. Currently fossil fuels account for about 54% of its owned generation mix, and 53% of its total delivered generation mix. To remain within its carbon budget, Kyushu needs to accelerate the decline in electricity production from fossil fuel assets and implement a coal phase-out date.

Kyushu does not disclose financial information on its investments in research and development (R&D) to mitigate climate change, neither its fossil and low-carbon electricity portfolio development CapEx for the reporting year. Fossil fuels account for about half of Kyushu’s current power generation. By reporting its planned CapEx for the next five years, its current and future CapEx for R&D, and any investment in carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) investors and stakeholders will gain a better impression on how committed Kyushu is to its transition plan and aligning with a 1.5°pathway.

Kyushu transition plan outlines the growth of its renewable capacity from 2 GW in 2018 to 5 GW in 2030, amongst other low-carbon business activities covering investments in sustainable communities, the promotion of electric vehicle initiatives, and the development of energy storage and control technologies. Currently fossil-fuels account for 54% of Kyushu’s owned generation, and 53% of its total delivered generation. By expanding on these targets, Kyushu could take this opportunity to reduce its excess of carbon budget and work towards aligning with its 1.5°C pathway.

Kyushu is planning to develop 3 GW of new renewable capacity by 2030 to increase its total renewable capacity to 5 GW. The company has also set a target to reduce its emissions by 26 million tCO2 by 2030 compared to 2013, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

Kyushu is investigating regions with abundant geothermal resources, developing its solar capacity, and investigating biomass power generation. Along with improving the energy efficiency of its existing thermal power stations, and retiring inefficient coal-fired power stations by 2030.

Kyushu achieved its 2030 scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity target of 370 gCO2/kWh in 2019. In addition to expanding its renewable energy capacity to 5 GW, Kyushu is developing its energy service business, building a sustainable community, and strengthening business foundations.

Between 2015 and 2019 Kyushu’s scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity decreased by 30%. This was driven by a decrease in fossil-fuels in its generation mix, from 72% to 45% between 2015 and 2019. Along with an increase in nuclear energy in its generation mix, from 10% to 33%, over this period.

Kyushu’s aim to increase its renewable capacity to 5 GW by 2030, and as part of its transition plan, aims to make renewables its main energy sources supported by storage batteries and pumped storage. Kyushu only plans to phase-out inefficient coal by 2030, and has not yet set a coal phase-out date.