New Japanese firm developing renewable power projects

Will build a solar plant at Tamana Gun, southern Japan.

Kyuko Lease Inc., a subsidiary of Japanese financial service provider Orix, is partnering with Kyudenko Corporation and JFE Engineering Corporation to develop 50 MW of green power plants across Japan by 2015.

The partners have jointly established Kyushu Shine Energy Corporation as the first stage of the venture. As part of the initial phase of the project, construction has begun on the 1.7 MW Meishihama Solar Plant in Tamana Gun, located in southern Japan. The facility is to begin operation in September.

Equipped with 7,200 panels, the solar plant will cover 18,178 square meters and will generate more than 1,800 MWh a year, equal to the energy needs of around 500 ordinary households. Kyushu Electric Power Company will buy the electricity generated by the plant.

The partners will also continue their partnership on geothermal and wind power projects.