Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo; president: Hitoshi Kanno; “J-POWER”) announced that the wholly-owned subsidiary, J-Wind Co., Ltd., today began commercial operation of the recently upgraded New Nikaho Kogen Wind Farm located in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture.
The original Nikaho Kogen Wind Farm began operating in December 2001. The upgrade from 15 wind turbines (with individual unit output of 1,650 kW) to six wind turbines of one of the largest classes in Japan (with individual unit outputs of 4,300 kW) is now complete. The site started operation as the New Nikaho Kogen Wind Farm, and will continue to use the impressive wind resources in this location, which is blessed with favorable conditions throughout the year, while coexisting with the local community.
With the start of commercial operation at the New Nikaho Kogen Wind Farm, J-POWER’s wind power generation business in Japan now spans 29 locations (24 in operation, three under construction, and two planning facility upgrades) with a total capacity of 766,192 kW (including the two locations set to be upgraded). The combined capacity of J-POWER’s two wind farms in Nikaho City—the New Nikaho Kogen Wind Farm and the already operating Nikaho Daini Wind Farm—is 66,150 kW, with a total capacity of 82,250 kW across J-POWER’s three locations in Akita Prefecture.
Based on extensive experience and a strong track record operating wind farms throughout Japan, the J-POWER Group is systematically updating facilities at aging sites. Going forward, we will continue to work on the sustainable development and steady operation of wind power generation and other renewable energy projects to achieve the carbon neutrality goal outlined in J-POWER BLUE MISSION 2050, announced in February 2021.
1. Details of the wind farm
Name: New Nikaho Kogen Wind Farm
Location: Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, Japan
Capacity: 24,750 kW (six wind turbines manufactured by Siemens
Gamesa with a rated output of 4,300 kW each)
Schedule: September 2021: Start of construction
March 2024: Start of commercial operation
2. Operating company
Name: J-Wind Co., Ltd.
Location: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Capital: 100 million yen (wholly owned subsidiary of J-POWER)
Representative Director: Fumihiko Saito (Director, Onshore Wind Power Business
Department, Renewable Energy Division, J-POWER)