Research on 40 MW project in Hokkaido first under new rules in Japan
Daisetsuzan National Park, Hokkaido, Japan (source: flickr/ rouadec, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
26 Feb 2013
Japan will see the first survey done for a geothermal project planned under new regulation that allows development in National Parks. The project is a 40 MW project planned near Soynkyo Hot Springs in Daisetsuzan National Park, in Hokkaido.
This spring a survey will be conducted ahead of the development of a geothermal power proejct in Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido, as reported from Japan this week.
The surface survey will be conducted in the Shiromizusawa district of Kamikawa, near the hot spring area of Sounkyo Hot Springs. A conference call among stakeholders, including the Environmental Ministry, local municipalities, Marubeni Corp and others, will be held today to reach an agreement.
This is the first research to be conducted for a geothermal power project in National Parks in Japan under new eased rules following the major earthquakes and the shut down of the nuclear power plants in the country.
The project site is in the National Park of Daisetsuzan within a Special Zone and the project would be the first since 1978 when a geothermal plant started operation in the National Park of Hachimantai in Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture.
The research planned now will study existing subsurface structures and explore reservoir quality and more. The final stage of the assessment will see an Environmental Impact Assessment and then the development of the project which is expected to last 8-10 years. The maximum output is estimated at 40 MW based on a survey done by the Hokkaido government conducted in the 1970s.
Source: Yomiuri.co.jp
