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.
Touring Omaezaki Biomass Power Plant
During the mission to Japan, WPAC had the opportunity to show the Alberta Minister of Forestry and Parks, Todd Loewen, his team, and the Alberta Forest Products Association how Canadian wood pellets are used in market by visiting the Omaezaki Biomass Power Station. The plant uses approximately 300,000 tonnes of biomass each year (about 100,000 tonnes are Canadian wood pellets) to generate 530,000 MWh of reliable, low‑carbon electricity—enough to power 170,000 households.
Plant officials noted that Canadian pellets consistently outperform alternative fuels and remain in high demand—a reflection of the quality and sustainability of Canadian biomass.
This visit underscored the importance of Canadian pellets in Japan’s energy mix and highlighted the strong partnerships between Canadian producers and Japanese utilities.
Building Relationships with Japanese Customers
During the mission, WPAC hosted our largest-ever customer appreciation dinner, bringing together almost 60 senior Japanese utilities and trade partners, the BC and Alberta Ministers, federal and provincial officials, First Nations leaders and the Canadian industry.
This annual event continues to strengthen collaboration, build trust and reaffirm Canada’s role as a reliable supplier of low-carbon biomass.
WPAC’s Role in Building Long-Term Partnerships
WPAC maintains ongoing relationships with major pellet buyers in Japan. This visit marks the second time WPAC has been in the market this year with government. Earlier this year, B.C.’s Chief Forester, Shane Berg, joined WPAC in Japan to meet with customers and government officials and tour a biomass power plant. These engagements are essential for addressing customer concerns, such as long-term access to the Canadian fibre supply, assurance of well-managed forests, and alignment with Japan’s sustainability criteria for biomass energy.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has established a sustainability working group to develop standards for biomass inputs, including greenhouse gas reduction impacts, land-use practices and traceability. Canada’s strong forest governance and sustainable practices position us as a reliable partner in meeting these requirements.
Moving to responsible energy sources, such as biomass, is critical for future generations. Together with our partners in Alberta, British Columbia and Japan, we are building a renewable energy future.
Gordon Murray is the Executive Director of the Wood Pellet Association of Canada.