Toshiba Corp. said it will stop taking orders for new coal-fired power plants as it makes a wider push to embrace renewable energy, though it will still complete work on about 10 further facilities. The engineering-to-technology giant will continue to manufacture steam turbines and offer maintenance services for existing coal-power plants, and work on the construction of plants that have already been ordered.
The firms are under pressure amid investor demands for action on climate change and over the prospect that tighter government policy on greenhouse gas emissions will limit scope for new coal-fired plants, even in Asia, where nations currently remain reliant on the fuel as a form of cheap electricity generation.
Renewable energy-related investments in Japan could total as much as 80 trillion yen ($760.6 billion) over the next decade amid efforts by the nation to lower emissions, Kurumatani estimated.
Toshiba has existing orders for the installation of coal-fired plant facilities in counties including Indonesia and India, according to details listed on its website. The Nikkei first reported the decision to exit coal on Tuesday.