The Oguni Machiokoshi geothermal power plant was built by Machiokoshi Energy, a private company based in Hyogo Prefecture, at a cost of about 10 billion yen (approx. USD 67.5 million). Shoji Numata, the founder of Machiokoshi Energy and formerly a supermarket mogul, aims to develop geothermal power projects using a “franchise” model with small-scale power plants that can be installed quickly and with minimal environmental disruption.
The electricity generated from the Oguni Machiokoshi geothermal power plant will be sold to Kyushu Electric Power Co. Ltd. In the future, there are plans of using the excess heat from the power plant to grow mangoes in a greenhouse, or to cultivate shrimp.
“I think that this project has demonstrated that even rural areas can be revitalized by using renewable energy,” said Parliamentary Vice-Minister for the Environment Kentaro Asahi during the opening ceremony of the geothermal power plant.
“We want to create the next generation of industry in Oguni Town, a place which is known for its abundant forests and natural resources. We want to revitalize the idle land,” added Shoji Numata.
Just a few days prior, the 14.9-MW Appi Geothermal Power Plant in Iwate Prefecture officially started commercial operations.
