Quantitative Analysis of Renewable Power Projects’ Regional Economic Revitalization Using Input–output Table Data from Japan’s 47 Prefectures

Given the use of regional natural and human resources, renewable power plants are expected to deliver a substantial regional economic effect. This study quantifies the influence of renewable power generation in stimulating local economies using the regional input–output table data of each of the 47 prefectures in Japan. The results reveal, among other findings, that the construction and operation of unused wood biomass power plants of the same scale elicit nearly fourfold difference in regional economic effects between Hokkaido and Tokyo. Varying results are a reflection of the industrial structure in a region and the rate of self-sufficiency of related industries. In addition, when comparing the effect of regional economic revitalization by introducing renewable energy per kWh by energy source, the results are in the order of small hydro, unused wood biomass, industrial solar, and onshore wind. It was determined that the economic effect of the introduction of four types of renewable energy is sufficiently large enough in comparison to the value of electricity.