Omaezakikou Biomass Power Plant

Japan-based Renova Inc. on Feb. 5 announced that the 75-megawatt (MW) that the Omaezakikou Biomass Power Plant began operations on Jan. 29. The facility is fueled by wood pellets and palm kernel shells (PKS).

The Omaezakikou facility was originally scheduled to begin operations in December 2023 but faced several delays. Most recently, Renova in December 2024 announced startup would be delayed due to additional time that was needed to make final adjustments to the boiler and turbine facilities. The adjustments were needed to ensure long-term stable operations at the facility. At that time, Renova was targeting March 2025 for startup.

Renova has now confirmed the Omaezakikou facility is commenced operations. The plant is located at the Port of Omaezaki in the southernmost part of Shizuoka Prefecture at the mouth of Suruga Bay. The newly operational facility is expected to help revitalize the economy of the region centered on the cities of Omaezaki and Makinohara through the increased utilization of the port and harbor facilities due to the arrival and departure of fuel carriers and the creation of new jobs. It is also expected to help increase the renewable energy usage ratio, according to Renova.

The Omaezakikou Biomass Power Plant is one of several biomass power plants developed by Renova. In November 2023, the company announced its 75-MW Morinomiyako Biomass Power Plant had begun operations. The following month Renova announced startup of its 74.8 MW Tokushima Tsuda Biomass Power Plant. Additional Renova biomass plants that are currently operational include the 20.5 MW Akita Biomass facility and the 75 MW Kanda Biomass plant. Biomass plants currently under construction include the 75 MW Ishinomaki Hibarino Biomass plant and the 49.9 MW Karatsu Biomass facility.