The 110 MW Hatchobaru geothermal plant in Oita Prefecture is the biggest in Japan. (Courtesy KYODO) |
How Japan can meet its future energy needs is not necessarily something you think about while enjoying a nice long soak in a hot-spring bath.
But the hot water you’re soaking in is part of the solution, say advocates of geothermal power.
Renewable energy sources such as geothermal have been getting more attention since the 2011 Fukushima disaster exposed the risk — or folly — of nuclear power.
One expert says geothermal power could supply 10 percent of the country’s energy needs by 2050.