A Japanese consortium is forging ahead with a new geothermal project in the mountainous northern Akita Prefecture on the nation's main island, Honshu. Inpex, Mitsui Oil Exploration Company (Moeco) and Idemitsu Kosan will begin building the 14,990-kilowatt geothermal Katatsumuri Yama power station halfway up Katatsumuri Yama mountain in the Oyasu District. It is scheduled to begin commercial operations in March 2027. The double-flash method geothermal plant will be operated by Oyasu Geothermal, a company financed by the trio of Japanese players, which was set up in September 2018. Double flash geothermal power plants produce a higher power output than single flash ones, but at a higher cost. The dual flash method is more expensive because it requires more piping, a second separator, and low and high-pressure steam turbines.
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