Japan's 2MW Susono biomass-fired power plant in Shizuoka prefecture has started construction today, with the aim to begin commercial operations in October 2025.
The Susono plant will burn 27,000 t/yr of wood chips secured in Shizuoka to generate around 15 GWh/yr of electricity. Operating company Susono Biomass Power is held 50pc by Japanese utility Chubu Electric Power, 40pc by energy company ML Power, which is a subsidiary of financing firm Mizuho Leasing, and 10pc by renewable energy developer Prospec AZ.
Those companies plan to build three other biomass-fired power plants in Gunma, Nagano, and Niigata prefectures. Each plant is expected to come on line in November 2025, April 2026, and May 2027. The three 2MW plants will burn 27,000-29,000 t/yr of locally gathered wood chips to generate around 15 GWh/yr.
Chubu has invested in a number of biomass-fired power plants, including the 112MW Tahara in Aichi prefecture, which is currently under construction and aims to start commercial operations in September 2025.