Onikobe geothermal power plant in Osaki, Japan resumes operation after six years

Onikobe Geothermal Power Station in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan (source: YouTube screenshot / KHB TV)

The Onikobe geothermal power plant in Osaki City in the Miyagi Prefecture, Japan has resumed operation after being shut down for since 2017. This follows a multi-year rehabilitation and renovation work done by Electric Power Development Co. Ltd or “J-Power.” Commercial operations officially restarted on 2 April 2023.

The 14.9-MW Onikobe geothermal power plant started operations in 1975. However, the plant was shut down in 2017 due to deterioration of its aging facilities. The plant utilizes geothermal waters at 250 degrees Celsius extracted from a depth of 1500 meters.

As part of the renovation work, the turbine and generator were decorated to resemble a “naruko kokeshi” doll, a local traditional handicraft. This design decision reflects the plant’s goals of becoming a well-known local power station that contributes to the local communities.

“We believe that we have a role to play in contributing to the world as an energy source that utilizes local energy and a power source that does not emit CO2,” stated Tomoyuki Kayano, Director at the Onikobe geothermal power station. With a 14.9-MW capacity, the power generation of Onikobe is enough to supply the needs of about 27,000 households. The power generated in Onikobe is sold to Tohoku Electric Power.

The J-Power Group is working to develop the introduction of renewable energy projects to achieve carbon neutrality, as stated in the J-POWER BLUE MISSION 2050 announced on February 26, 2021. We had previously reported on the plans of J-Power to develop two additional geothermal projects, on top of the company’s share on the Wasabizawa geothermal power plant that came online in 2019.

Source: J-Power and KHB TV