Building on its excellent sustainability and carbon-neutral credentials, Epson is planning to commence construction of a Biomass generator in fiscal 2026. The plant will have an estimated annual power generation 14,000,000 kWh.
Artist's impression of how the completed Biomass plant will look
Seiko Epson Corporation (Epson) has announced that it is planning the construction of the company's first biomass power plant, in Iida City, in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Epson hopes to have the plant in operation in the 2026 fiscal year and is moving to secure the land and buildings, contract construction, and file the paperwork for power generation.
Epson publicly committed to becoming carbon negative and underground resource free in its 'Environmental Vision 2050' initiative. The use of renewable electricity is a key means by which Epson seeks to reach its goal of decarbonization and, in December 2023, Epson completed the switch to 100% renewable electricity at all Epson Group sites around the world.
The new power plant is intended to provide Epson with self-generated renewable electricity on a continuous basis and reduce the ratio of electricity the company purchases from external power companies, thereby promoting wider public adoption of renewable electricity.
The electricity generated will be sold to the market under a feed-in premium (FIP) scheme3, and Epson will convert the electricity that it uses into renewable electricity by leveraging the environmental value created through power generation. Moreover, the power is expected to be supplied to local facilities in the event of a disaster or other emergency.
No fossil fuels
The power plant will not depend on fossil fuels. It will be fueled primarily by unused wood from the Minami Shinshu area, as well as by materials such as tree bark, mushroom culture medium, and some waste wooden pallets from Epson itself. By utilizing wood and bark from neglected forests, Epson will also be contributing to forest maintenance.
In the future, Epson aims to create a closed-loop power plant, including by developing technology for the sequestration, fixation and utilization of CO2 produced during power generation.
Epson will continue to promote the wide-spread adoption of renewable electricity, reduce its energy consumption, and circulate resources on its way to realizing 'Environmental Vision 2050.'
