Mitsubishi Power wins order for 1|950MW of gas-fired power plants in Japan

Mitsubishi Power has won a full-turnkey contract from Chiba-Sodegaura Power Co. to build three gas turbine combined cycle power plants with 650MW class natural gas-fired units in Sodegaura City, Japan.

Commercial operation will start from 2029 after which Mitsubishi Power will provide support according to the long-term service agreement also signed.

This project, totalling 1,950MW, is a joint venture between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. MHI will supply gas turbines, steam turbines, heat recovery steam generators and flue gas desulfurization systems and Mitsubishi Electric will provide the generators and electrical products.

The M701JAC gas turbines will generate the bulk of the power.

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According to MHI, the gas turbines will be capable of hydrogen co-firing and the plant will be designed so that it can be converted to 100% hydrogen firing with minimal rebuilding.

This project will help to alleviate the power supply shortages during Japan's high-load periods.

The Chiba-Sodegaura Power Co. was established in 2015 by Idemitsu Kosan Co., Kyushu Electric Power Company Inc., and Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. The company's initial remit was to promote the development of coal-fired power plants, as well as biomass and mixed combustion power in the region.

According to the International Energy Agency, natural gas in Japan’s total energy mix has increased significantly over the past decade, due to growing demand from the electricity generation sector.

Natural gas has also become more popular since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident which resulted in the closure of all nuclear plans. Japan's domestic production of gas is still very limited, bringing the dependence on imports to over 90%, states the IEA.