The History of the Wind Power Project in Konagai Town, Nagasaki - From 2004 to the 2020s

The History of the Wind Power Project in Konagai Town, Nagasaki - From 2004 to the 2020s

In Konagai Town, Isahaya City, Nagasaki Prefecture, a wind power project has been promoted to revitalize the local economy and spread renewable energy. The project consists of a 300kW first turbine (installed in 1998), a 600kW second turbine (introduced in 2000), and a 600kW third turbine (operational since December 2002), with a total capacity of 1.5MW. Initially, the generated power was used at the Sazanka Highland Picnic Park and Herb Garden in the town, with surplus energy sold to Kyushu Electric Power. In fiscal year 2003, the project generated a record revenue of 2000 million yen from electricity sales, contributing to local tourism.

However, in the 2020s, the operational efficiency of the turbines has dropped significantly, with average utilization rates between 8% and 14%. This decline has posed financial challenges, making it difficult to maintain stable revenues. The low utilization is attributed to fluctuating wind conditions and maintenance challenges, with the expected economic benefits not fully realized.

Going forward, improving operational efficiency is crucial to sustaining the project. Exploring further use of local resources and expanding renewable energy initiatives are also under consideration as part of the region's efforts to enhance the effectiveness of wind power utilization.