Interest in the Clean Coal Technology related aspects is increasing each year all over the world. The representatives of the power sector as well as the governments of many countries gather experiences in the field visiting leading research institutes and commercial installations.

In the first days of December 2009, the new power unit in Łagisza hosted the representatives of Japanese research institutes and companies. They wish to cooperate with their Polish counterparts and work on the development of clean coal technologies and cutting-edge facilities for the power sector. During the visit to the most advanced power unit in Południowy Koncern Energetyczny, delegation members expressed their deep interest in the applied technologies and solutions.

Hirotoshi Kunitomo, the Department of Coal Director with the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Trade, headed the delegation. Main representatives of the Japanese power industry were also members of the delegation: Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Toshiba, Hitachi, Babcock-Hitachi K.K., The IHI Group, Chiyoda Corporation, Nippon Steel Corporation, Idemitsu Kosan Co. The science was represented by: NEDO and JCOAL, the two biggest Japanese institutes operating in the field of research and development involving, among others, clean coal technologies. The Japanese delegation visited our country from November 30 to December 5 and for example also met the representatives of the Energy Department in the Ministry of Economy.

A meeting on the Clean Coal Technologies was held on December 1, in the Ministry of Economy. The Ministry representatives presented the main goals of the Polish Energy Industry Policy up to 2030 as well as the works carried out on the development of clean coal technologies. Japanese Ministry of Economy, Industry and Trade and the biggest power sector companies shared their expertise and experience concerning clean coal technologies as well. The Energy Department of the Ministry of Economy was the host of the meeting.

In the following days, apart from the visit to 460 MW Power Unit in Łagisza, the Japanese delegates also had a chance to see PGE Bełchatów Power Plant and the Central Mining Institute in Katowice. On December 4, the Japanese representatives participated in the St. Barbara’s Day celebrations in Katowicki Holding Węglowy.

(DaW)