Best Mix of Power Sources with Nuclear Power as Mainstay

In consideration of environmental characteristics, stable supply, economy and operability, we develop and operate various power sources in a well-balanced manner with nuclear power generation as the mainstay and reduces CO2 emissions.

Our actual CO2 emissions in FY2004 (33.9 million tons) represent about half of the CO2 emissions in the case where all electricity is generated by fossil fuels other than LNG.

Effects of CO2 Emissions Control

Nuclear Power Generation

Higashidori Nuclear Power Station

Nuclear power generation is superior in stable supply and cost efficiency, and it is an effective power source for the measures to cope with global warming as it does not produce any CO2 at the time of power generation. In addition to Units 1-3 (2,174,000 kW in total) now in service at Onagawa Nuclear Power Station, Unit 1 (1.1 million kW) of Higashidori Nuclear Power Station is slated to start commercial operation in October 2005.

Moreover, we plan to develop Unit 2 (1,385,000 kW) of Higashidori Nuclear Power Station and Unit 1 (825,000 kW) of Namie Odaka Nuclear Power Station.

Hydroelectric Power Generation

We promote the development of hydroelectric power generation as a clean energy that makes the most of natural energy. Tohoku EPCo now operates the largest number of hydroelectric power plants, i.e., 210 plants (about 2,420,000 kW).

We also promote the development of Surikamigawa Hydroelectric Power Station (3,000 kW) and Moriyoshi Hydroelectric Power Station (10,600 kW).

LNG-Fired Power Generation

LNG-fired power generation is effective in reducing CO2 emissions because it emits less CO2 at the time of combustion. Tohoku EPCo is now constructing Higashi-Niigata Thermal Power Station 4-2 System (805,000 kW) as a highly efficient gas combined cycle power generation facility, and conducting an environmental impact assessment of Unit 4 (400,000 kW class) of Sendai Thermal Power Station.

* Combined cycle power generation facility: A power generation facility that has high thermal efficiency as a combination of gas turbine, heat recovery steam generator and steam turbine, compared to conventional types of power generation facilities.

Geothermal Power Generation

Geothermal power generation is an environment-friendly power generation system that capitalizes on geothermal resources that are domestically produced energy. From the viewpoints of diversification of power sources and utilization of environment-friendly and domestically produced natural energy, Tohoku EPCo has promoted the development of geothermal power generation. We have four geothermal power stations with five units that boast Japan's largest geothermal power generation capacity, i.e., 223,800 kW in total (about 42% of Japan's all geothermal power generation capacity).