SAPPORO, Apr 21 (News On Japan) - Hokkaido Gas has entered the wind power business for the first time, launching a hybrid power plant that combines wind and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Ishikari, Hokkaido.
The newly installed wind turbine at the New Port of Ishikari Bay has begun turning slowly, surrounded by LNG tanks. The facility represents the company's first foray into wind power generation since its founding.
The plant's annual output is approximately 6 million kilowatt-hours—equivalent to the electricity consumed by about 2,000 households in a year.
Although Ishikari benefits from strong winds blowing from the Sea of Japan year-round, a challenge has been the occasional drop in wind speeds during peak demand periods in summer.
To address this, when wind power generation falls short, a gas turbine at Hokkaido Gas’s LNG thermal power station—located just one kilometer away—automatically kicks in to supply electricity.
This hybrid system combining wind and LNG is the first of its kind in Hokkaido and is designed to provide a stable supply of power.
Executive Director Hiroki Maetani of Hokkaido Gas stated, "We can use engines as buffers for fluctuating and distributed renewable energy sources, even in different or remote locations. Ultimately, this may contribute to the broader adoption of renewable energy across Hokkaido."
With many data centers located in Ishikari, where even brief power outages are unacceptable, stable electricity is critical. The new hybrid power system is expected to play a key role in addressing this need.
Source: HBCニュース 北海道放送
