News Release

Operations have commenced at the Kushiro Onbetsu Solar Power Generation Plant following the completion of construction works by JP’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Eco Power JP Co., Ltd. Eco Power JP will sell electricity generated by the power plant for the next 20 years commencing in July 2015 under the government’s FIT (Feed-in Tariff Scheme for Renewable Energy) scheme.

The Kushiro area chosen for the site of this power plant is characterized by weather conditions ideally suited to solar power generation including long hours of daylight, a high proportion of fine weather and low temperatures throughout the year, raising the expectations for high generation efficiency from this project.

Since originally entering the biomass power generation business with the aim of supplying electricity to paper manufacturing entities within the Group, JP has been developing its power generation business to provide a stable supply of the clean, safe electricity that has been increasingly demanded by society. Currently, the JP Group is already operating a total of five power plants, two wood-based biomass power generation plants and three solar power plants, with another biomass power generation plant presently under construction in Noda village, Iwate prefecture with operation scheduled to commence in April 2016.

Through its renewable energy power generation activities, the JP Group will strive to contribute to a reduction in the burden placed on the environment by society as a whole, while also expanding its business activities in areas that contribute to the local community.