RENOVA biomass plant built on “disaster hazard area” begins operation

RENOVA has announced that the Morinomiyako Biomass Power Plant in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, began operation on 18 November.
RENOVA has a stake in the plant, which possessed generation capacity of 75 MW and is fueled by wood pellets and palm kernel shells.
Preparations for this facility were made by Morinomiyako Biomass Energy G.K., which is jointly funded by RENOVA; United Purpose Management Inc.; Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd.; Mizuho Leasing Co., Ltd.; and RenoDa Partners G.K.
RENOVA said that the northern part of the Gamo area — where the plant is located — was once home to approximately 3,000 residents, but around 80% of the approximately 1,500 houses in the area were either washed away or completely destroyed by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
The area was later designated as a disaster hazard area in accordance with the Sendai City Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction Plan, and has since been transformed into a major industrial centre next to Sendai Port, as part of the Land Readjustment Project for Reconstruction of Disaster-affected Urban Areas in Northern Gamo.
In constructing the biomass power plant at this site, Morinomiyako Biomass Energy G.K. has been proceeding with the project with consideration for the local community’s desire for the development of their hometown, and for it to be part of the revitalisation of the local economy, according to the company.
As part of this effort, an exhibition room called “Gamo Nakano Nostalgia Museum” is planned to be installed inside the power plant, showing what the area was like before the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
"Going forward, we will operate the power plant while prioritizing coexistence with the local community and safety," said RENOVA. "We will seek to contribute to the achievement of a decarbonized society in cooperation with local residents and other stakeholders."