The 235MW Setouchi Kirei Solar Plant is now the biggest operating solar PV plant in Japan following its completion. Mott MacDonald was owners engineer on the project working for Setouchi Future Creations LLC.
The solar plant is located in Setouchi city in Okayama prefecture and is built on the former site of Kinkai Salt Field, previously the largest salt field site in East Asia until it closed in the 1970. The new power plant is a clean source of energy and will last a minimum of 20 years. It is also providing protection through the installation of a seawall and the preservation of the existing habitat areas of rare species including the marsh harrier, black-faced spoonbill bird.
As owners engineer on the project Mott MacDonald assessed plant performance and drafted plant test procedures, supported contract negotiations and advised on procurement. The consultancy also supported the owner in optimising construction and operation costs prior to financial close. It pioneered new approaches to improve accuracy of solar resource estimation in Japan and worked to gain lender and investor acceptance for such approaches. Mott MacDonald also carried out energy yield assessment and due diligence of design checks on the project. After financial close the consultancy provided site construction management services.
Project manager Tatsu Kikuchi said “We are proud to be a part of creating the largest solar power plant in Japan. The plant will cut 192,000 tons of CO2 emissions, which is half of the Setouchi’s current emissions.”