Able Co. switches to biomass only at planned coal-fired power plant in Fukushima:
One less coal plant is good news, but there are still concerns
Able Co. has switched to biomass only instead of co-firing with a coal and 30% biomass mix of fuel to generate electricity in its new power plant planned for the Iwaki Energy Park at the Yoshima Industrial Park, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture.
This 112 MW project was just below the 112.5 MW threshold that would have made it subject to the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, so no assessment was conducted for the national government, although it is still subject to the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance of Fukushima Prefecture.
The shift to biomass was included in a project revision submitted by Able Co. on November 5, 2018 under the prefecture’s environmental assessment procedures. However, the plan to built new power plant is still remaining. Though using biomass instead of coal, it is still concern to have a new power plant which emit CO2 in the future.
For detail, please read the press release Kiko Network issued.
[Press Release] Able Co. switches to biomass only at planned coal-fired power plant in Fukushima (January 24, 2019) (Link)
This is ninth unit in Japan that has been either cancelled or seen a change in fuel, among the total of 50 units at coal-powered electricity generation plants identified since 2012 (10 already operating and 31 at the planning or construction stage as of today’s date).
Related Links
Japan Coal Plant Tracker（Link)
Able Co., Ltd (Japanese)
Environmental impact assessment documentation on the Iwaki Energy Park (Japanese)