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October 5, 2020 Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.

Otake Geothermal Power Station Starts Commercial Operation -Renovation Work Now Complete for Japan's First Domestic Commercial Geothermal Power Station-

 Kyushu Electric Power Company's Otake Geothermal Power Station today started commercial operations following the completion of inspections, adjustment, and other undertakings for power generation facilities of the station. The station has been generating power through trial operations since September 1 (previously announced on September 1, 2020).

 By carrying out the renovation works at an adjacent area of the existing power plant while this plant was in operation, Kyushu Electric Power Company managed to shorten the non-generation period of the facilities.
 Kyushu Electric Power Company will continue to use the station's already-existing underground facilities (steam well and injection well), which means the volume of steam and hydrothermal fluid extracted from underground will remain unchanged. Efforts are made, however, to increase output and effectively use geothermal resources by adopting the "double-flash" system, which depressurizes hydrothermal fluid for further steam extraction.

 Based on the capacity of system interconnection ensured as of now, the station's output is to stand at 13,700kW when operation begins. The output will be increased to 14,500kW as soon as the station establishes system interconnection.

 To respond to global warming and effectively utilize domestic resources, Kyushu Electric Power Company will continue to proactively develop and introduce renewable energy.

[Overview of Otake Geothermal Power Station]

  Before Renewal
(Existing Facility)
After Renewal
Name of Station Otake Geothermal Power Station
Location Yutsubo-oaza, Kokonoe-machi, Kusu-gun, Oita, Japan
Power Generation System Steam power (Geothermal)
Output 12,500kW 14,500kW (13,700kW)
Start of Operation August 1967 October 2020
* Output at station's start of operation

[Major milestones]

・September 2013: Environmental survey begins
・April 2018: Construction work begins
・June 2020: Existing station stops operation
・September 2020: Power generation begins
・October 2020: Commercial operation begins

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