Kyuden shuts down 2-MW Hatchobaru binary geothermal power plant in Oita, Japan
The Hatchobaru binary geothermal power plant in Oita, Japan (source: Kyuden Mirai Energy)
Carlo Cariaga
24 Jan 2026
Kyuden Mirai Energy has decommissioned the aging 2-MW Hatchobaru binary geothermal power plant in Oita, Japan, which was intended as a demonstration facility.
Kyuden Mirai Energy, a subsidiary of Kyushu Electric Power, has announced that the company has decommissioned the 2-MW Hatchobaru geothermal binary power plant located in the Oita Prefecture in Japan.
Built in 2004 and operating since 2006, the Hatchobaru binary power plant holds the distinction of being the first binary-type power plant to be in operation in Japan. The facility primarily functioned as a demonstration project for binary power generation, producing electricity using geothermal fluids at temperatures below 150 °C.
Due to the deterioration of the equipment over time, the facility had already ceased operation in January 2020. As of 31 December 2025, the facility has been completely decommissioned. The 110-MW Hatchobaru geothermal power facility still remains in operation.
In an official statement, Kyuden Mirai thanked the local community for their understanding and cooperation during the operational period of the Hatchobaru binary power plant. The company states that the plant has fulfilled its intended purpose as a demonstration facility. The deployment of binary power plants has since become more of the norm in Japan, which is particularly compatible with the strategy of building and operating small-scale geothermal power facilities.
Source: Kyuden Mirai
