Expansion of variable renewable energy is changing electricity systems on a global scale. Wind and solar photovoltaic now meet over 15% of some countries’ annual electricity needs. And in some areas, or countries, these two energy sources account for more than 50% of total electricity supplied at certain hours of the day.

It is an urgent task and challenge also for Japan to introduce high shares of renewables, to notably strengthen the country’s energy security and fight climate change.

At the symposium, Mr. Kristian Petrick, Operating Agent of the International Energy Agency’s Implementing Agreement on Renewable Energy Technology Deployment, presented successful policies implemented around the world to respond to the challenge of always integrating higher shares of variable renewables, and what Japan can learn from these experiences.