biomass power generation

Initiatives for biomass fuel

A system that promotes forest circulation through the use of domestic timber

Approximately 70% of Japan's land area (37.8 million hectares) is forested, but utilizing unused thinned wood and other materials has been a long-standing issue. In addition, more than half of the country's man-made forests contain trees over 50 years old, and if these trees are not cared for, there is a risk of them causing landslides due to typhoons and other natural disasters.
We are working to use domestically produced thinned wood and lumber scraps as fuel for biomass power generation. We will contribute to the creation of sustainable forests and the promotion of forestry that takes environmental conservation into consideration, as well as the circular use of domestic forest Resources.

The Idemitsu Kosan Group constructs and operates biomass power generation businesses that utilize Refinery sites, etc. In addition to developing power plants independently, we also develop power plants in collaboration with other companies.

Power plants operated by our group

Keihin Biomass Power Plant

This power plant was built on part of the site of the Keihin Refinery Ogimachi Plant, which closed in 2011. In addition to being able to utilize the infrastructure of the old Refinery and nearby port facilities, it has the advantage of being close to a major consumption area. The power plant uses only wood-based fuels such as palm kernel shells.

Tokuyama biomass power plant

This power plant was built utilizing part of the site of Refinery (currently Tokuyama Complex), which closed in 2014. For the time being, the plant will use imported wood pellets and palm kernel shells, but in the medium to long term, it aims to use domestic thinning materials and lumber scraps, thereby creating sustainable forests and promoting forestry that are considerate of environmental conservation, and building and developing a circular economy in the region.
In order to use domestic timber, we are participating as a council member in the Shunan City Wood Biomass Material Utilization Promotion Council, which was established with the aim of local production and consumption of energy and revitalizing forestry. Taking advantage of Shunan City's characteristics of having both abundant forest Resources and biomass power generation facilities, we will promote the utilization of domestic wood biomass materials through a demonstration experiment of biomass production using fast-growing trees, which are fast-growing trees. Fast-growing trees were planted in Shunan City in December 2022.

Power plants operated in collaboration with other companies

Tosa Power Plant

It is operated by Tosa Green Power Co., Ltd., a wood biomass power generation company funded by our company, Tosaden Kotsu Co., Ltd., and the Kochi Prefecture Forestry Cooperative Federation. This power plant is Japan's first power plant that exclusively burns 100% unused materials and performs integrated operations from crushing and drying to power generation. We take the environment into account by controlling noise and odors and creating green areas.

Ohno Power Plant

The project is funded by four companies: our company, Kobelco Eco-Solutions Ltd., a Kobe Steel Group company, the local kuzuryu Forestry Association, and New Chip Transport Ltd. The forestry association also operates a timber yard and chip manufacturing facility adjacent to the power plant, and operates an integrated system from timber storage to power generation.