Japanese news report on the potential of geothermal power sources in six Tohoku prefectures that – according to Japan Geothermal Developer’s Council – could relatively quickly to be developed to provide a generating capacity of 170 MW.
The overall potential capacity could be up to 740 MW in those prefectures, if one would include “potential sites in national parks, where the development of geothermal plants is restricted, added the council, which comprises geothermal businesses such as Mitsubishi Materials Corp. (5711).
The estimates are based on underground temperatures, topographic features and other data. Using the results from its studies, the council will call on the government to relax restrictions and provide development assistance.
The council studied the Tohoku region first because developing geothermal power sources could spur earthquake recovery efforts. But tapping these sources would take roughly 10 years due to the lengthy environmental impact assessment and earth work.”
Source: Nikkei
