
On December 19, 2024, Tohoku Electric Power returned into commercial operation the 340kW Kabayama Power Station in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, after repowering the over 100-plus-year old hydroelectric power plant.
Repowering work on the power plant first commissioned in 1921 started in July 2023. While the new equipment’s capacity is 380kW, the power plant will continue to operate at its original 340kW output due to the lack of grid connection capacity.
“We believe that the upgrade will make maintenance less labor-intensive and reduce equipment failure rates, thereby reducing downtime. Additionally, we expect that the improved efficiency of the turbine will increase the amount of electricity that can be generated annually by approximately 10%,” said the company’s statement.
Kabayama Power Station is one of Japan’s many hydroelectric power plants that are 50 years or older. Separately from Tohoku EPCO, J-POWER has recently repowered multiple older assets including Okamigo and Suesawa hydro power plants.