In Japan, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. (Nippon Paper) has announced that it has held a completion ceremony for the mixed-coal-biomass-fired Ishinomaki Hibarino Power Plant, operated by Nippon Paper Ishinomaki Energy Center Ltd., a joint venture with Mitsubishi Corporation Power Systems Ltd., which had been engaged in unit trial operations since September 2017.
The Ishinomaki Hibarino coal-biomass power generation facility commenced business operations as of March 1, 2028. Characteristically, the facility permits the combustion of coal with woody biomass.
Nippon Paper aims to contribute to the preservation of domestic forests by utilizing unused woody materials, primarily from Tohoku, including Miyagi Prefecture.
In addition, Nippon Paper Ishinomaki Energy Center will source wood pellets from Asia and North America to increase the biomass blending ratio.
The plant will contribute to a stable supply of electricity while the company helps industrialize Ishinomaki, Miyagi, and promotes the use of wood biomass.

