New LNG-fired power plants could cover up to 3% of Japan's peak demand in winter and summer, newspaper said, adding that construction of such plants would require investments worth around 100 billion yen ($745 million).
According to the newspaper, the ministry is going to cooperate with private companies by covering their building and investment costs during the construction of new thermal power plants with a total capacity of 6,000 megawatts.
The newspaper also reported that the project's main goal would be to cope with projected power shortages in coming years amid uncertainties in the international market.
On Thursday, a power-saving campaign during the winter period started in Japan for the first time in seven years, with the government urging people and businesses to set heating temperatures low and take other measures to limit the use of electricity amid concerns about possible energy shortages.