22 May 2023
Sumitomo Electric Group Successfully Completes Sumita Tono Wind Farm, the Largest Onshore Wind Power Plant in Iwate
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. has completed the design, manufacturing, and construction of transmission and substation facilities for the Sumita Tono Wind Farm, one of Japan’s largest wind farms. These facilities have been handed over to the contractee, Shimizu Corporation. The Sumita Tono Wind Farm started commercial operation on May 11, 2023.
The Sumita Tono Wind Farm, a large-scale onshore wind power plant that consists of 27 wind turbines with a total capacity of 113,400 kW, was installed by Green Power Sumita Tono LLC, a subsidiary of Green Power Investment Corporation, on a site that spans across Tono City and Sumita Town in Iwate.
Sumitomo Electric undertook the design, manufacturing, and installation of electrical facilities, including underground transmission lines, overhead transmission towers, and substation equipment, as part of a Balance of Plant (BOP) contract*1 from Shimizu Corporation, which had a contract with Green Power Sumita Tono LLC. This project was carried out in collaboration with Nissin Electric Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Densetsu Co., Ltd., both of which are part of the Sumitomo Electric Group.
The project involved intricate and challenging construction due to multiple environmental constraints, as the wind turbine site, substation facilities, and installation site for underground transmission lines were situated in rugged mountainous terrain. Furthermore, the underground transmission line with a voltage of 154 kV spanned a long distance of approximately 35 km, requiring extreme precaution in handling. Sumitomo Electric, however, successfully completed the installation within the scheduled timeframe by leveraging its technical expertise and construction capabilities accumulated through domestic transmission line projects.
The power generation capacity of the Sumita Tono Wind Farm is equivalent to approximately 84,000 households, resulting in an expected annual reduction of over 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Following this project, the construction of power transmission and distribution facilities is expected to increase as renewable energy sources are introduced.
Sumitomo Electric, together with Sumitomo Densetsu and Nissin Electric, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric in May 2023, will integrate and combine the core technologies of each company to enhance their ability to propose solutions, thereby contributing to the introduction of renewable energy and the realization of a smart energy society.
■ Overview of the Sumita Tono Wind Farm
| Location | Tono City and Sumita Town, Iwate Prefecture,Japan |
| Commencement date of commercial operation | May 11, 2023 |
| Facility capacity | 4,200 kW/unit x 27 units = 113,400 kW (Connection capacity: 99,750 kW) |
| Client | Green Power Sumita Tono LLC |
■ Scope of Sumitomo Electric Group’s contract in the Sumita Tono Wind Farm Project
| Orderer | Shimizu Corporation |
| Role allocation | (Sumitomo Electric) Manufacturing and installation of 154-kV transmission lines (Nissin Electric) Manufacturing and installation of substation equipment (Sumitomo Densetsu) Installation of overhead transmission towers and installation and connection of optical fiber cables |
| Construction period | March 2021 to October 2022 |
| Cable installation distance | Approx. 35 km |
Cable installation route from Sumita Tono Wind Farm
Substation equipment installed at Sumita Tono Wind Farm
Construction work
■ Reference
・Sumitomo Electric Group public relations magazine “id” Vol. 14
Challenge to Spread the Use of Renewable Energy — Underpinning the largest wind farm in Japan —
https://sumitomoelectric.com/id/project/v14/01
*1 Procurement and construction contract for power generation equipment other than wind turbines (Balance of Plant)