Advancing Renewable Energy Partnerships in Japan
The Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) was proud to participate in the November trade mission to Japan alongside Alberta Minister of Forestry and Parks, Todd Loewen and British Columbia Minister of Forests, Ravi Parmar. This mission was important for strengthening relationships with Japanese energy partners and showcasing Canada’s role as a trusted supplier of renewable biomass energy.
Japan: A Key Growth Market for Canadian Wood Pellets
Japan has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing export market for wood pellets. These pellets are used by power utilities to generate electricity, either by co-firing with coal or in dedicated biomass power plants. Over the past decade, Canadian wood pellet exports to Japan have grown eighteen-fold—from CAD $11 million in 2014 to $207 million in 2024. All of these exports originate from British Columbia (BC) and Alberta, with approximately 70 percent shipped from BC and the remainder from Alberta through BC ports.
This growth reflects Japan’s commitment to decarbonization. In 2020, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced Japan’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. More recently, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reaffirmed this commitment, pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent by 2030 and striving for a 50 percent reduction. Biomass energy, including wood pellets, plays a critical role in meeting these targets.