Geothermal resources potential of up to 740 MW in Tohoku prefectures in Japan
Ginzan Onsen hot spring resort, Yamagata prefecture, Tohoku, Japan (source: flickr/ rangaku1976, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
24 Sep 2011
Geothermal resources in six Tohoku prefectures in Japan could be relatively quickly developed to provide 170 MW in geothermal power generation capacity, with an overall potential of up to 740 MW if one would include resource located in national parks.
Japanese news report on the potential of geothermal power sources in six Tohoku prefectures that – according to Japan Geothermal Developer’s Council – could relatively quickly to be developed to provide a generating capacity of 170 MW.
The overall potential capacity could be up to 740 MW in those prefectures, if one would include “potential sites in national parks, where the development of geothermal plants is restricted, added the council, which comprises geothermal businesses such as Mitsubishi Materials Corp. (5711).
The estimates are based on underground temperatures, topographic features and other data. Using the results from its studies, the council will call on the government to relax restrictions and provide development assistance.
The council studied the Tohoku region first because developing geothermal power sources could spur earthquake recovery efforts. But tapping these sources would take roughly 10 years due to the lengthy environmental impact assessment and earth work.”
Source: Nikkei
