The inauguration ceremony with a traditional blessing of MKG’s next building site took place in Hamada, on Japan’s west coast. The ceremony, which took place according to Japanese customs and traditions, was a truly high-profile event, appropriate for the significance of the solar park Hamada.
The 11 MW building site at Hamada represents the second construction phase of the conversion of an inoperative golf course into a solar park. On behalf of a Thai investor and a Japanese contractor (EPC), MKG Japan is responsible for measuring & surveying tasks by means of drones and GPS, for the planning of racks and mountings as well as for delivery and assembly execution. Over 70 guests from all parts of Japan and Thailand arrived for the ceremony on May 24, 2016. According to Japanese tradition, all trades involved in the project were symbolically represented one after the other and blessed by a priest. Following the ceremony, the Thai ambassador who travelled from Tokyo gave a welcoming address. On the behalf of MKG Japan, the owner Karl Göbel of course personally seized the opportunity and attended the ceremony, where he gave the starting signal for construction work. Afterwards, the guests were able to spend the rest of the afternoon with nice weather enjoying grilled specialties and drinks.
The first construction phase at Hamada is regarded nationwide in Japan as one of the most beautiful, but also as one of the most demanding large-scale plants. For the inauguration of Hamada I, many other guests and local politicians along with the former Prime Minister of Japan had come to marvel at the facility, which blends into the rolling countryside of Japan like the vineyards. The premier minister especially praised the fact that the facility’s design with its natural wavy shape adapted to the terrain and emphasizes the character of “Green Energy” even more.
The first construction phase (also rated at 11 MW) started feeding into the power grid in November 2015; start-up of Hamada II is planned for March 2017.