Challenging New Businesses with Biomass Power Generation Business at the Core
erex Group started its power generation business in 2013 with the start of commercial operation of Tosa Power Plant in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture. In addition to steadily growing biomass power generation business in Japan, we continue to take on challenges toward realizing de carbonized society, such as expanding business overseas in Vietnam, Cambodia, and other countries, in addition to conversion of coal-fired thermal power plants to biomass and hydrogen power generation demonstration project
Operation of Seven Biomass Power Plants in Japan with a Total Output of Approximately 650 MW (*Including Plans)
As a leading biomass power generator in Japan, erex Group currently operates five biomass power plants and plans to construct two more.
We started commercial operation of the largest-level biomass power plants in Japan in Buzen City, Fukuoka Prefecture and Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture in 2020, and started commercial operation of the largest-level single-fuel-fired woody biomass power plant in Uruma City, Okinawa prefecture. Furthermore, by the end of FY2025, we plan to start operation of a biomass power plant in Sakaide City, Kagawa Prefecture, while a plan to construct a mega biomass power plant in Niigata Prefecture is also underway.
Biomass power generation is environmentally friendly due to its carbon neutrality, and is a highly reliable and stable baseload power source that can maintain a stable supply of electric power. Each power plant is operated through joint investments with various partner companies, etc., and we report environment-related matters to the local government and also cooperate with local partners such as port-related companies, transportation companies, etc., in the day-to-day business operation.
- * FIT (Feed-in Tariff) is a system that requires electric power companies to purchase electric power generated from biomass and other energy sources for a certain period at a price set by the government.
Planning the World's Largest-Level Mega Biomass Power Plant
erex Group plans to construct Japan's first mega biomass power plant that is independent of the FIT (Feed-in Tariff) system. The plant, which will be the world's largest level with an output of 300 MW, is a very significant project for Japan's energy policy, the realization of a de-carbonized society, and the development of the local economy, and will be an important pillar in strengthening our biomass power generation business.
Expanding Our Business to New Countries and New Energy Sources
Our power generation business is not limited to the operation of biomass power plants in Japan, but is developing and expanding into new countries and business areas.
The first demonstration hydrogen-fired power plant in Japan was constructed in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, and started demonstration operation in April 2022. This is a development project to utilize hydrogen from production to power generation and power retail in preparation for the coming hydrogen society. In addition, we are also promoting a transition project for coal-fired power plants.
Following the hydroelectric power generation project in Cambodia, we have launched a biomass power generation and fuel development project in Vietnam, and is aiming for further growth by expanding our business field globally.