News Release

 July 12, 2022　

GPSS Group and “Kami-iwabuchi Irrigation Association” (Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture)

Joint Project Unveiling Ceremony to be held on Thursday, July 28

GPSS Group is a group of companies engaged in a wide range of power generation projects that generate sustainable energy, including solar, wind, small and medium-sized hydroelectric, geothermal, and biogas. ( https://gpssgroup.jp/ )

“Kami-iwabuchi Irrigation Association” was established in 1972 for efficient use of water, a resource necessary for agriculture and the maintenance of agricultural facilities.

Japan Hydro-Power Development Inc., a member of the GPSS Group, and the “Kami-iwabuchi Irrigation Association” have jointly opened the “Sukawagawa Small Hydropower Plant”, and began selling electricity to Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Incorporated on June 12, 2012.

Location of the “Sukawagawa Small Hydro Power Plant”  (Google Map): https://goo.gl/maps/2tomNWcb44GV9mCN6

“Riding in the Same Boat as the Community”, GPSS’s Joint Venture

Energy resources such as water, wind, and heat that exist in the region are the  “common property” of the region.

We, the GPSS Group, utilize these resources to form joint business with local communities, and aim for a sustainable society as a partner on the same boat.

Reviving part of an approximately 100-year-old power generation facility

The Nishimine-Sukawa area, where the “Sukawagawa Small Hydro Power Plant” was located, formerly had an old hydroelectric power plant that supplied electricity to the area. However, this power plant ceased operation about 70 years ago due to obsolescence. Since then, the “Kami-iwabuchi Irrigation Association” has been utilizing the water drainpipe, which no longer serves as a power generation facility, as an agricultural water channel.

In April 2021, GPSS Group launched a joint project with the “Kami-iwabuchi Irrigation Association” to renovate and reuse part of this power generation facility and started construction of a new small-scale hydroelectric power plant. With the operation of this power plant, the water resources of the Sukawagawa River will support not only agriculture in the region but also the local community in the form of income from the sale of electricity generated by the plant.

As an independent power producer, it is extremely rare to be granted new water rights on a first-class river

When utilizing a river for power generation, it is necessary to obtain water rights from the national or local government. Because of the strict regulations of the River Act, especially in the case of large-scale hydroelectric power generation such as dams, major electric power companies with abundant experience and track records acquire water rights and proceed with the project.

Under such circumstances, GPSS Group was able to acquire water rights for first-class river in Gunma Prefecture as an independent power producer. This is the result of taking into consideration not only the safety and public nature of this power project, but also our knowledge and track record as GPSS Group.

On July 28, at 9:00 a.m., the “Kami-iwabuchi Irrigation Association” and Japan Hydro-Power Development Inc. will hold an unveiling ceremony to celebrate the start of the power plant’s operation, welcoming the Mayor of Minakami Town and local residents.

Please contact the GPSS Group Public Relations Office regarding media coverage.

Inquire about this release

GPSS Group Public Relations Office

E-mail: pr@gpss.jp

Attachment:

“Sugawakawa Small Hydropower Plant” Details

Details of Related Companies

GPSS Holdings Inc.

Japan Hydro-Power Development Inc.