Press Release

Press Release

Construction of Susono Biomass Power Station / Development of wood-fired biomass power stations in Shibukawa of Gunma Prefecture, Nagano of Nagano Prefecture, and Joetsu of Niigata Prefecture

October 15, 2024
Chubu Electric Power Co.,Inc.
Mizuho Leasing Company, Limited
ML Power Company, Limited
PROSPEC AZ Inc.

Susono Biomass Power Generation LLC ("the project company"), a joint venture of Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. ("Chubu Electric Power"), ML Power Company, Limited ("ML Power") which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuho Leasing Company, Limited ("Mizuho Leasing"), and PROSPEC AZ Inc. ("PROSPEC AZ"), today started construction of the Susono Biomass Power Station ("the station").

The station is a wood-fired biomass plant to be constructed in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, which will generate 1,990 kW of electricity, mainly from pruned branches (Note) of roadside trees in the prefecture, and is scheduled to start operation in October 2025.
(Note) Branches cut down for tree shaping or to maintain tree size.

Together with the understanding and cooperation of the local community and other stakeholders, we, all three investors and the project company, will proceed with the construction of the station, placing safety as the highest priority.

In addition, the three companies have decided to develop wood-fired biomass power stations with an output of 1,990 kW in the cities of Shibukawa in Gunma Prefecture, Nagano in Nagano Prefecture, and Joetsu in Niigata Prefecture ("Shibukawa Biomass Power Station," "Nagano Biomass Power Station," and "Joetsu Biomass Power Station," respectively) that will use pruned branches from roadside trees as their main fuel. Through their operating companies, we will proceed with our plans to commence operations in November 2025, April 2026, and May 2027, respectively.

The three companies will contribute to the reutilization of waste materials and the realization of a regional recycling-oriented society through these efforts by using pruned branches, which have been disposed of or incinerated, as fuel for power generation.

[Overview of Susono Biomass Power Station]

Operating company

Susono Biomass Power Generation LLC

Location of the Station

1313-1 Aza-Hiragaki, Suyama, Susono-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture

Power output

1,990kW

Estimated annual power output

Approx. 14.5 million kWh (equivalent to circa 5,000 homes' useage per year)

Fuel type

Wood chips (mainly pruned branches of roadside trees in Shizuoka Prefecture)

Scheduled start of operation

October 2025

Shareholding company

Chubu Electric Power (50%), ML Power (40%), PROSPEC AZ (10%)

[Image of Susono Biomass Power Station after completion]

Image of Susono Biomass Power Station after completion

[Overview of Shibukawa Biomass Power Station]

Operating company

Shibukawa Biomass Power Generation LLC

Location of the Station

83-4 Aza-Uekihara, Mizusawa, Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma Prefecture

Power output

1,990kW

Estimated annual power output

Approx. 14.5 million kWh (equivalent to circa 5,000 homes' useage per year)

Fuel type

Wood chips (mainly pruned branches of roadside trees in Gunma Prefecture)

Scheduled start of operation

November 2025

Shareholding company

Chubu Electric Power (50%), ML Power (40%), PROSPEC AZ (10%)

[Overview of Nagano Biomass Power Station]

Operating company

Nagano Biomass Power Generation LLC

Location of the Station

6587-7 Aza-Mushiutayama, Toyosaka, Matsushiro-machi, Nagano-shi, Nagano Prefecture

Power output

1,990kW

Estimated annual power output

Approx. 14.5 million kWh (equivalent to circa 5,000 homes' useage per year)

Fuel type

Wood chips (mainly pruned branches of roadside trees in Nagano Prefecture)

Scheduled start of operation

April 2026

Shareholding company

Chubu Electric Power (50%), ML Power (40%), PROSPEC AZ (10%)

[Overview of Joetsu Biomass Power Station]

Operating company

Joetsu Biomass Power Generation LLC

Location of the Station

2174-1 Aza-Kamamae, Oaza-Kuroi, Joetsu-shi, Niigata Prefecture

Power output

1,990kW

Estimated annual power output

Approx. 14.5 million kWh (equivalent to circa 5,000 homes' useage per year)

Fuel type

Wood chips (mainly pruned branches of roadside trees in Niigata Prefecture)

Scheduled start of operation

May 2027

Shareholding company

Chubu Electric Power (50%), ML Power (40%), PROSPEC AZ (10%)

[Outline of the investing companies]

  • Chubu Electric Power Co.,Inc.

Established

May 1951

Headquarters

1 Higashi-shincho, Higashi-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture

Representative

President & Director Hayashi Kingo

Business Activities

Renewable energy business, overseas operations, community support infrastructure-related operations, etc.

  • Mizuho Leasing Company, Limited

Established

December 1, 1969

Headquarters

1-2-6 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Representative

Akira Nakamura, President & CEO

Business Activities

Lease transactions, installment sales transactions, and various financial transactions

  • ML Power Company, Limited

Established

March 9, 2020

Headquarters

1-2-6 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Representative

Michio Arai, Representative Director

Business Activities

Power generation business, investment in energy-related businesses, and other ancillary and related businesses

  • PROSPEC AZ Inc.

Established

July 2008

Headquarters

26F JP Tower Nagoya, 1-1-1 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture

Representative

Tomohiro Tohyama, Representative Director

Business Activities

Solar power generation business, biomass business, wind power generation business (small, medium and large scale), battery power generation business, Power Producer and Supplier (PPS)

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