The 167MW coal-fired Tosa Power Plant will shut down at the end of March 2025, the plant’s operator Tosa Power Inc. announced in mid-June 2024. The company cited “rising coal prices, a slump in the electricity market, and the government’s policy to phase out inefficient coal” as the key reasons.
Taiheiyo Cement Corporation started construction work on the power plant in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, in January 2003. The company later partnered with Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-Power) and Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc., to form Tosa Power Inc., which has been operating the power plant since its April 1, 2005, commissioning.
J-Power is, with 45%, the majority shareholder in the joint venture. Shikoku Electric Power owns 35% of the company and Taiheiyo Cement maintains a 20% share.
When announcing its plan to terminate business at the end of fiscal year 2024, Tosa Power said “We believe that the Tosa Power Plant has been able to contribute to the stable supply of electricity for approximately 20 years since its operation in 2005, mainly in the Shikoku region. We will continue our business as usual until March 31, 2025, and we kindly ask for your continued understanding and cooperation.”
