Lighthouse at World Heritage Site to be Lit by Green Energy

The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) will launch a study to switch the power source of a lighthouse at Cape Shiretoko in Shiretoko, Hokkaido, from diesel oil to renewable energy sources, JCG's First Regional Coast Guard Headquarters announced in February 2006. The effort to introduce natural energy sources to the lighthouse has drawn attention as an environmentally friendly initiative, especially since Shiretoko was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2005.

The lighthouse is currently powered by its own generator that burns about 4,000 liters of diesel oil a year. By replacing diesel oil with renewable energy sources, the JCG aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and save on labor for oil transport. The study is scheduled to begin in 2006 to explore the applicability of natural energy sources, including photovoltaic power generation.

The JCG has been actively working in recent years to introduce renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and wave power to lighthouses and other navigation aids. As of April 2006, some 3,300 of JCG's 5,327 lighthouses were using electricity generated from natural energy sources.

http://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/e/index_e.htm

Posted: 2006/06/03 12:54:47 PM
Japanese version