Wind Power? Not So Fast, Says TEPCO, While Others Are More Optimistic

Japan's largest wind power company, Eurus Energy, is in the news as TEPCO has announced that it will sell a part of its shares in the company, that is also owned by Toyota through a trading house connected to the car maker. Why is TEPCO not holding on to shares in a company that could do very well as the nation turns from fossile fuels and nuclear energy, to renewable energy sources (water, solar, wind, biogas)?

It has not been much noted, but somehow, Japan's wind turbines managed to survive the massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. As shaken as our confidence is in nuclear energy, it is perhaps telling that main streem media has not told the story of how the turbines in Kamisu, southern Ibaraki prefecture, perfectly managed to survive the forces of nature.

The seven turbins were unhurt and continued to produce electricity. In fact, none of Japan's wind turbines, representing over 2300 MW of capacity, failed as a result of the disaster, according to the Japan Wind Power Association.

Elisa Wood notes:

It was a bit astounding. Somehow, despite the massive tsunami that hit Japan's Kamisu offshore wind farm 11 March 2011, its seven turbines emerged intact. While the crushing wave wrecked almost everything in its path, the turbines stood tall and continued to generate power. Meanwhile, the world watched nervously as workers struggled to prevent a catastrophic meltdown at Japan's Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant, site of explosions and radiation leaks. Despite its redundant safety systems and sturdy cement and steel layering, the nuclear plant's systems ultimatley failed. Yet the wind farm, exposed and buffeted by the earthquake's full force and the subsequent tsunami, survived.

Renewable Energy World.com: The Dangers of Energy Generation

The Yomiuri has the latest about TEPCO's desperate efforts to raise cash:

Eurus Energy has continuously suffered deficits. However, the enactment in August of the law on special measures for renewable energy raised hopes for a dramatic upturn in its business. The law makes it mandatory for power companies to purchase all available natural energy, including electricity generated from wind power.

(...)

The Yomiuri Shimbun: TEPCO to sell shares in wind power firm

Eurus Energy operates about 20 wind power plants around Japan, including the nation's largest plant in Shimane Prefecture. With a total wind power capacity of 520,000 kilowatts, Eurus accounts for about 20 percent of the total wind power generated domestically in Japan. It also conducts business in the United States and Europe.

Eurus Energy has a lot of news updates about its international projects, including near Stavanger, Norway and in California, US. Eurus Energy America has been active in wind energy development in the United States since 1987. It also has "two mega solar projects already in operation in South Korea," according to its website. Here is the breakdown:

Japan: 527MW
Korea: 142MW
USA: 587MW
Europe: 760MW
Total: 2,016MW

Norway and Sweden in particular seem to be great places to do business if you are supporting wind:

Norway is enthusiastic about the furtherance of renewable energies, and in 2012, will set afloat with Sweden a common green certificate system. With the Stavanger project as a way through, and general trend in favor of renewable energies, Eurus Energy Group will promote wind farm business in the Nordic market.

View pop-up gallery of photos of their wind power installations here.

Hopefully, the company will find a new owner who is more inclined to support individual consumers and large customers that want to select renewable energy, as I noted in my previous post: Japan's Renewable Energy Bill - Q & A

(Images of Shinto priests offering a sprig of sacred sakaki tree and praying for the safety and successful completion of the project in accordance with solemn Shinto protocol, from the Eurus news releases on their website.)