<article><p class="lead">Japanese renewable power firm Renova has decided to postpone the start of commercial operations at its 74.8MW Tokushima-Tsuda biomass power generation plant from March to May owing to facility inspections.</p><p>The power plant in Japan's southern Tokushima prefecture has been undergoing a trial run since October 2022. It is designed to burn a total of 300,000 t/yr of imported wood pellets and palm kernel shells (PKS) to generate around 500 GWh/yr of electricity. </p><p>Renova <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2200662">holds a 60.8pc of share in the project</a>, while utility Osaka Gas owns 33.5pc. The remainder is owned by three other local firms.</p><p>The power plant has been selling electricity during the trial run to regional utility Shikoku Electric Power. From this month all generated electricity from the plant will be sold to Shikoku at a fixed price of ¥24/kWh ($218/MWh) over 20 years, or until February 2043.</p><p>Renova also operates the <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2237611">75MW Kanda</a> and 20.5MW Akita biomass power plants. It plans to start commercial operations at the <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2089834">75MW Ishinomaki Hibarino</a>, <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2153493">75MW Sendai Gamo</a> and <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2017967">75MW Omaezaki</a> biomass power plants this year and at the <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2249266">49.9MW Karatsu</a> biomass power plant next year. </p><p>But Renova has temporarily <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2417107">stopped building the 75MW plant at Omaezaki port</a> following an accident on 6 February.</p><p>Japan imported 4.4mn t of wood pellets in 2022, up by 42pc from a year ago, according to the finance ministry. The country also boosted PKS purchases by 14pc on the year to 2.9mn t in 2022.</p><p class="bylines">By Nanami Oki</p></article>
