Japan:

Hokkaido Plant May Spur Geothermal Trend (The Yomiuri Shimbun.)

Hokkaido, Japan (Courtesy Google Maps)

A plan to conduct a survey for construction of a geothermal power plant in Hokkaido's Daisetsuzan National Park is likely to spark nationwide discussions on how to develop and utilize the nation's abundant geothermal energy potential.

As Japan is home to the world's third-largest geothermal energy reserve, the plan is expected to trigger similar movements in other national and quasi-national parks. Since the expansion of power generation is said to depend on local opinion, much care must be taken in obtaining the consent of local residents. For example, in the case of Daisetsuzan, local residents were presented with measures to revitalize their communities.

However, even with consent, the entire process from the initial survey to geothermal power generation could take anywhere from eight to 10 years.

To encourage development, the government must help create the technology needed to utilize the domestic energy resource, while simultaneously trying to restart idled nuclear power plants, the nation's current basic power source.

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