Japan ’s quest for clean energy is being hampered by opposition from the country ’s spa industry . Japan has the world ’s third largest geothermal reserves , including 118 volcanoes . Experts estimate that these reserves could generate 80 % of the country ’s electricity requirements . However , 80 % of the reserves are located in the hot springs or onsen that underpin a $ 28.6bn industry , serving 700 m people . At present , the country ’s 18 plants generate a mere 2 % of their potential 23 gigawatts of geothermal power . It is speculated that attempts to increase this could lower the demand of onsens and reduce their water supplies . However , there is some indication that small plants , operating at lower temperatures and without the need for deeper wells , may be becoming more acceptable to the public .
Japan’s quest for clean energy is being hampered by opposition from the country’s spa industry. Japan has the world’s third largest geothermal reserves, including 118 volcanoes. Experts estimate that these reserves could supply 10% of the country’s electricity requirements. However, 80% of the reserves are located in the hot springs or onsen that underpin a $28.6bn industry, serving 120m people. At present, the country’s 18 plants generate a mere 2% of their potential 23 gigawatts of geothermal power. It is feared that attempts to increase this could lower the temperature of onsens and deplete their water supplies. However, there is some indication that small plants, operating at lower temperatures and without the need for deeper wells, may be becoming more acceptable to the public.