Japan

Written By Kim Manunui

Contracting Party:  Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC)

Executive Committee Member: Kasumi Yasukawa, JOGMEC, Japan

Alternate Member: Yukie Ashihara, JOGMEC, Japan

Geothermal power generation first occurred in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu in 1925 (1.12 kW). The practical use of geothermal power really commenced in 1966 with the commissioning of the 9.5 MWe Matsukawa Geothermal Power Plant (currently 23.5 MWe), Iwate Prefecture, in northern Honshu. In 2016, marking its fiftieth year of operation, the Matsukawa Geothermal Power Plant was certified as a Mechanical Engineering Site of Japan by the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Japan, as a volcanic country, is blessed with abundant geothermal resources, including the prospect of super-critical resources.  The development of geothermal power is influenced by factors such as National Park access restrictions,  hot spring resort owners who are not so accepting of geothermal energy projects and a poor understanding amongst the general public about geothermal energy and its benefits.

At the end of 2024 Japanese geothermal power plant capacity was ~520 MWe.

Direct geothermal use capacity is~2200 MWth producing ~24,000 TJ/year of energy in 2024.

Geothermal Heat pump installed capacity is ~240 MWth (as of December 2024).

JOGMEC is active in four areas of geothermal technology research and development ;

  • Geothermal Reservoir Exploration

  • Drilling Technology Development

  • Enhanced Geothermal System Technology

  • Innovative Geothermal Technology

NEDO began funding research in 2017 on subduction-origin supercritical geothermal resources, which has potential for tens of giga-watts of power generation for Japan, with a pilot plant targeted to be operational by 2040. Fundamental studies are being conducted, led by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and Kyoto University looking to utilise the 500oC supercritical fluids that are anticipated to be present at up to 5km depths in many of the volcanic zones in Japan.

The 2024 report includes information on eight NEDO research and development projects.  NEDO has quite a focus on AI and IoT applications applied to geothermal resources and geothermal power plants.

Promotional measures in play since 2011 to intensify deployment of Renewable Energy have brought renewed interest in geothermal energy development in Japan and details on this can be found in the Japan Country Reports below.

Two geothermal power plants (GPP) greater than 1 MWe in capacity were commissioned in 2024:

  • 14.9 MWe Appi single flash GPP

  • 6.5 MWe Minami-Kayabe GPP - this is the first GPP in Japan to use line shaft pumps in the production wells.

2024 Japan Country Report
2023 Japan Country Report
2022 Japan Country Report
2021 Japan Country Report
2020 Japan Country Report
2019 Japan Country Report
2018 Japan Country Report
2017 Japan Country Report
2016 Japan Country Report
2014 Japan Country Report
2013 Japan Country Report
2012 Japan Country Report
Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

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