Japan fires up first large-scale geothermal power station after 23 years

The Wasabizawa Geothermal Power Plant has a total power generation capacity of 46MW.

After 23 years, Japan’s first new large-scale geothermal power station, the 46MW Wasabizawa Geothermal Power Plant, commenced its commercial operation, an announcement revealed.

Located in Yuzawa city in the Japanese Akita prefecture, the plant is a joint project between Electric Power Development (J-Power), Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company.

Whilst it is Japan’s newest geothermal generator, it is only the 7th largest of such plant in the country.

This project, which had been in the works since May 2015, is supported by Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, applying a debt guarantee project for geothermal resource development funding, the announcement highlighted.

Yuzawa Geothermal Power Generation Corporation will contribute to the expanded utilisation of renewable energy through the stable operation of Wasabizawa Geothermal Power Plant.