Power plant development in special areas, which had been prohibited, became possible following deregulation by the Environment Ministry in March last year, with some conditions such as the consent of local communities. While there are seven special areas in five national or quasi-national parks where the development of geothermal power plants is being planned, Kurikoma quasi-national park will be the first site where actual implementation of the excavation survey goes ahead.
According to the Akita prefectural government and other sources, the survey will be jointly conducted by multiple entities including Idemitsu Kosan Co., a major petroleum company. They will use a technique called “directional drilling” in the excavation work, which is to be conducted in the special area, part of the Oyasu area of Yuzawa, over several months.
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