Japan’s Jera has launched the first new LNG unit at its Goi thermal power plant in Chiba as part of a replacement project which includes the construction of three LNG units.
The power firm and LNG trader announced in a statement on Thursday that the power station’s unit 1 had begun commercial operation.
Jera said the new unit with a generating capacity of 780 MW uses an LNG-fired gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) system.
The joint venture of Tokyo Electric and Chubu Electric believes the unit will contribute to a stable electricity supply and mitigate environmental impact by reducing CO2 emissions.
Jera, Eneos Power, and Kyushu Electric Power will “continue to move steadily forward” with the replacement work at the Goi power station, it said.
Jera previously said that it expects to launch the first LNG unit at its Goi thermal power station in August 2024, the second unit in November 2024, and the third unit in March 2025.
Each of the units is able to produce 780 MW for a total of 2,340 MW.
The Goi thermal power station replacement project involves the replacement of six ageing gas-fired steam power units at the facility.
Last year, Jera agreed to transfer a stake in the LNG power plant to compatriot Kyushu Electric Power.
Following completion of the transfer, the ownership ratio in the power plant between Jera, Eneos, and Kyushu Electric is 9:5:1.
Jera also launched last year commercial operations at the third new LNG-fueled unit at its Anegasaki thermal power station in Chiba.
With this, Jera completed the project which consisted of building three new units to replace aging equipment.
Jera decommissioned in December 2021 four old LNG-fueled units at its Anegasaki power plant.
