Japan's Osaka Gas begins unit at new 1,25-GW gas fired power plant in Himeji

Osaka Gas said that it had started commercial operations at its new 1,25-gigawatt, gas-fired power station in Himeji, Western Japan, on Jan. 1.

The company that also provides electricity said the plant consists of two 622.6 megawatt units. The No.2 unit is expected to start operations in May.

According to a statement from the company, this facility uses natural gas as fuel and a high-efficiency gas-turbine combined-cycle system for power generation.

Osaka Gas will increase its domestic thermal power production capacity to 3.2 GW from 2 GW once both units come online.

Gas is a viable transition fuel to achieve the nation's net-zero emissions goal by 2050. It's also "an important source of energy even after carbon neutrality".

The Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators, Japan, (OCCTO), said last year that Japan had 'awarded 7 GW of new gas-fired capacity to replace ageing power plants.

According to the OCCTO, liquefied gas fired capacity is expected to increase from 79.98GW in 2024 to 85.75GW by 2034. Reporting by Yuka Obaashi. Mark Potter (Editing)

(source: Reuters)