Furusato Thermal Power (Furusato Netsuden) has announced that the 4995-kW Waita No.2 geothermal power plant, located in the town of Oguni in Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, has officially started commercial operations as of 14 March 2026. Construction of the power plant started in March 2024.
Waita No. 2 expands on the existing 1995-kW Waita No. 1 geothermal power plant which started operations in 2015. EPC support for he project was provided by Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions Co Ltd (TGES).
A community-based development model
A special purpose company “Waita No. 2 Geothermal Power Company” was created for this project, which is a joint venture between Furusato Netsuden and Waita-kai LLC, which enabled the participation of all residents of the Waita district. The power plant was developed under a “community-based model” that uses the geothermal resource to promote sustainable local energy production and consumption, as well regional revitalization.
The “Waita model” is a model that positions geothermal energy as “local / regional heat,” rather than an “underground resource.” Thus, development is primarily led by the local communities rather than companies. The development process of the Waita No. 2 project involved engagement and repeated dialogue with the local people, emphasizing on the ripple effects of the operations on the local economy and harmonious co-existence.
“The completion of the Waita No. 2 Geothermal Power Plant is the result of dialogue and trust built with the local community. We believe that geothermal energy is ‘local heat’ and an energy source that should be nurtured together with the community. We will continue to work diligently to ensure that this power plant contributes to the sustainable development of the Waita area and takes a step towards expanding the further possibilities of geothermal power generation in Japan,” said Kazuyuki Akaishi, Representative Director of Furusato Netsuden.
In 2025, Swedish company Baseload Capital announced a strategic investment in Furusado Netsuden, with the aim of combining a global investment portfolio with a community-rooted business model.
Source: Furusato Netsuden
