JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp. says it will start large-scale solar electric generation early next year at its facilities in Tagajo, Miyagi Prefecture, and in Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

The move follows the introduction of the feed-in tariff scheme for renewable energy last month, under which utilities are required to buy all electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar, wind, water and geothermal power at preset premiums for up to 20 years.

The Miyagi facility, with output capacity of 1,000 kw, will start transmitting power in January, while the Yamaguchi facility, with capacity of 1,750 kw, will start transmission in March, the company, an arm of JX Holdings Inc., said Tuesday.

Equipment planned at the Miyagi facility would be able to supply up to 50 kilowatts to the local community in the event of a blackout, it added.

Philippines plant eyed

NAGOYA Kyodo

Chubu Electric Power Co. has been conducting a feasibility study with a subsidiary of Manila Electric Co., the largest power distributor in the Philippines, on constructing a thermal power plant.

The project would result in the first power plant in the Philippines fired by liquefied natural gas and Chubu Electric's eighth thermal power business overseas, the utility said Tuesday.

The plant would have a power output capacity of 1.2 million to 1.75 million kw, according to the Nagoya-based company.

Chubu Electric Power has been studying the project's feasibility since June 2010, assessing possible locations in areas like Atimonan in Quezon Province 120 km southeast of Manila.

"We haven't decided on participating (in the construction of the plant). We're just at the stage of investigation," a spokesman said.

Established in 1903, Manila Electric, also known as Meralco, supplies around 60 percent of the Philippines' electricity needs.