Japan-based SoftBank will have SB Energy, its subsidiary for investments in developing renewable energy, extend construction and operation from photovoltaic and wind power to also include geothermal power generation.
SB Energy is surveying hot spring spots with potential geothermal resources in Niigate Prefecture, in central Japan, for a plan to install 300 kW of geothermal power generation for an estimated $0.8 – 8.0 million. SB Energy plans to start construction in 2016-2017, and begin operations in 2020. SB Energy said that it will be starting at a small scale to gain experience before making larger investments.
The Japanese government has set a target of 1550 MW for the cumulative geothermal installation capacity by 2030.