Japanese company Toshiba Energy Systems has commissioned the first unit of the Ishikariwan Shinko CCGT power project in Otaru (Hokkaido, Japan). Adjacent to the Ishikari LNG import terminal, it has an installed capacity of 569 MW. Toshiba provided a steam turbine and the generator, while General Electric (GE) supplied the 9HA gas turbine. The unit started to generate power at the end of 2018 and has now begun commercial operations.
Hokkaido Electric also plans to deploy two more units at the power plant, which are both currently under construction. Upon completion at the end of the next decade, the Ishikari CCGT power plant will have a total installed capacity of 1,708 MW.
The company intends to replace coal-fired and oil-fired units with LNG as it plans to switch to cleaner fuel sources. Besides, most of its current thermal capacity is ageing and was commissioned in the 1970-1980s. The development of the Ishikariwan Shinko project is meant to progressively replace the oldest thermal power plants.