Toshiba moves into wind energy business

Acquires Japanese wind farm company.

Toshiba Corporation, the world leader in geothermal power generation systems, has acquired Sigma Power Janex Co., Ltd., a firm. that operates wind farms in Kyushu. Sigma Power will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Toshiba upon completion of the acquisition.

Toshiba said it is reinforcing its capabilities and presence in renewable energy sources. It considers itself the world number one in geothermal power generation systems and a leader in hydro power systems.

Toshiba is also involved in the wind power generation equipment business through a 2011 capital alliance with Korea-based Unison Co., Ltd. The acquisition of Sigma Power will extend the scope of its business to cover wind power generation and supply.

At the completion of the acquisition, Sigma Power will operate two wind farms: the Nagashima-Kuronose Wind Power Plant in Kagoshima prefecture and the Shin-Kamigoto Whales Wind System in Nagasaki prefecture, both on Kyushu, the westernmost of Japan’s main islands.

Sigma Power will construct a new wind farm in Shin-Nagashima in Kagoshima scheduled to start operation in fiscal year 2014. It also has plans for four more wind farms in the Tohoku, Chugoku and Shikoku regions.