How Japan Can Treble Growth in Geothermal Power ~ a Study Focusing on the Importance of the Local Community in Comparison with Success in New Zealand

Abstract

Japan has the third largest geothermal energy potential in the world, behind only the United States and Indonesia. However, the installed geothermal power generation capacity is far behind the two countries and has remained at only 500 MWe for decades. After the earthquake in 2011 and Fukushima crisis, the Japanese government is making efforts to increase renewable energy including geothermal power and is targeting three times more geothermal power generation by 2030. However, as of January 2019, the capacity has not increased more significantly than the original 500 MW. On the other hand, in New Zealand, it’s geothermal power generation capacity was 435 MW in 2005 and similar capacity as Japan at that time, however, it was grown to 762 MW in 2010 and 1005 MW in 2015, which means it has doubled in 10 years. This includes developments of larger power plants such as Nga Awa Purua, Ngatamariki, and Mokai which includes a joint venture with the local community. In contrast, there are a number of cases in Japan, where the local community has objectedagainst geothermal developments and stopped due to that. They are Minamiizu Town, Tsumagoi village, Toyoha in Hokkaido, and the Lake Akan area, etc. This study includes consideration on how Japan can treble growth in Geothermal Power, by focusing on collaboration with local community by referring to the success in New Zealand from the aspect of business, economic and social impact.