Kansai Electric expands Himeji gas capacity with 1,950-MW rebuild

The three-unit LNG system replaces the older fleet with a higher output baseline.

Japan’s Kansai Electric Power Company, Incorporated will renew its Himeji No. 1 Power Station with high-efficiency combined cycle gas turbine units, according to a press release.

Under the renewal plan, Kansai Electric will install three combined cycle units with a combined output of approximately 1,950 megawatts (MW), consisting of 650 MW per unit, with thermal efficiency expected to improve from around 54% to about 63% on a lower heating value basis.

The utility said it has decided to proceed with the renewal following a feasibility study aimed at maintaining a stable electricity supply and supporting a transition to a zero-carbon society.

The Himeji No. 1 Power Station is a liquefied natural gas-fired facility in Hyogo Prefecture that has operated for around 30 years, and currently uses two combined cycle units with a total output of 1,442 MW.

The fuel for the plant will remain natural gas, with Kansai Electric stating it will continue to assess the use of hydrogen, ammonia, and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage as part of its longer-term decarbonisation pathway.

The utility said it will proceed with environmental impact assessments and consultation with local communities and relevant authorities, with plans to begin commercial operation in fiscal year 2033 or later.

The existing plant began operations in April 1995 for Unit 5 and May 1996 for Unit 6.