Reasons for locating an “urban-type biomass power plant” in Chigasaki City and its key strengths

The primary reason we chose Chigasaki City as the location for our newly established biomass power plant is that it offered an environment where we could stably secure “pruned branches” as fuel. The wood chips we handle are not thinned wood from forests, but rather pruned branches generated from parks, roadside trees, residential gardens, and nearby golf courses.

In fact, urban areas produce vast amounts of pruned branches throughout the year. More than 30,000 tons of pruned branches are brought to our facility annually from surrounding areas. Being in a location that can capitalize on such abundant resources unique to urban areas serves as the primary foundation of our business.

Furthermore, the ability to procure most of our fuel locally is a major strength. In recent years, global conditions such as high crude oil prices and the “wood shock” timber crisis have kept the prices of imported biomass fuel high. However, because our facility does not use imported materials at all and operates the power plant primarily using local pruned branches, we remain completely unaffected by these fluctuations.

Solving local challenges and achieving waste-free resource circulation

The roots of our green recycling business date back to 2001 when open burning was prohibited by law. At that time, changes in the law created a local challenge where pruned branches had nowhere to go and ended up as waste. To make effective use of these branches rather than simply discarding them, we launched our wood-chipping business.

At our current power plant, everything from branches and trunks to leaves and roots is finely crushed and used as fuel. Because we use exclusively “fresh wood-derived” pruned branches without mixing in any construction waste, the fly ash (plant ash) generated during the power generation process contains no impurities.

We provide this safe, high-quality ash free of charge to local farmers and residents who enjoy home gardening. This achieves waste-free resource circulation that returns natural elements to nature, while also playing a key role in expanding renewable energy.

In addition, we open the power plant for educational field trips to local elementary school students and visitors, contributing to the community as a place for hands-on learning about environmental issues.

Starting from scratch and receiving administrative support

Launching the power generation business was a series of struggles. With no experienced personnel within the company, everyone had to start from scratch. We gradually accumulated expertise through trial and error while receiving several months of guidance from the plant manufacturer.

Furthermore, because the planned construction site was in an urbanization control area, we faced the hurdle that permits could not be granted as-is. However, through repeated discussions with the city and prefectural governments to adjust the operating entity, we successfully obtained the necessary permits and received certification under the national Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme for renewable energy. Thanks to the cooperation of many stakeholders, we were able to launch the business.

We have built relationships of trust with the local community here for over 30 years through businesses like surplus soil processing. I believe that having this solid foundation made it possible to initiate a major project like a power plant without opposition from local residents.

Benefits of “Select Kanagawa NEXT”

The greatest benefit we have felt from utilizing the prefecture’s subsidy program (“Select Kanagawa NEXT”) over the past five years of operation is gaining extremely high regard and solid trust from the local community. On top of our 30-year relationship of trust, having official prefectural certification and strong support made the local community even more welcoming toward our business.

With deep gratitude for this public support, we feel it is our mission to make ongoing efforts to ensure the long-term, stable continuation of this business.

Future Outlook

As society’s overall demand for electricity rises due to factors like the growth of AI and data centers, our business—which can generate electricity 24 hours a day, every day, unaffected by weather unlike solar power—holds immense social significance. We will continue to take bold steps forward to shape the future environment and drive the development of the Shonan region.

“Enterprise Attraction Initiative: Select Kanagawa NEXT”

To revitalize the prefectural economy and create jobs, Kanagawa Prefecture utilizes its enterprise attraction initiative, “Select Kanagawa NEXT,” to attract companies from outside the prefecture and overseas, while promoting reinvestment by companies already within the prefecture. The prefecture’s subsidy for promoting corporate location can be used in combination with subsidies from municipalities within the prefecture. For details, please visit the following prefectural webpage:
Information on “Select Kanagawa NEXT”