Japanese joint venture plans 5 MW biomass plant

Several Japanese entities have announced the formation of a joint venture company focused on biomass power development. On Jan. 23, Tosa Electric Railway Co. Ltd., Kochi Prefecture Federation of Forest Owner’s Cooperative Associations, and Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. announced the formation of the joint venture Green Power Corp. According to information released by the group, the new company will aim to begin operation of a wood-fired power plant in April 2015. The facility will be located in Kochi, Japan.

Information published by the three parties specifies that the proposed facility would be the first integrated power plant in Japan to include the crushing and drying processes for woody biomass. Feedstock for the facility would be comprised of unused wood waste.

Together, the three partners have contributed JPY250 million ($27.79 million) to the joint venture. Idemitsu Kosan Co. owns 50 percent of the new company, with Tosa Electric Railway and the Kochi Prefecture Federation of Forest Owner’s Cooperative Association each owning 25 percent of the joint venture.

Once complete, the 5 MW facility would be expected to generate approximately 26 million kWh of power each year, and consume an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 tons of woody biomass annually.