On October 26, last year, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (at that time) declared in his statement of belief that "Japan would aim to realize a carbon-neutral (CN), decarbonized society in 2050". Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero have attracted particular attention to renewable energies such as solar power, wind power, hydropower, geothermal power, and biomass. Above all, expectations for hydropower are increasing.

ELIS (Okayama City, President Jun Kuwahara), a group company of Tsubame Holdings, is engaged in a variety of renewable energy-related businesses, they are focusing on the "hydroelectric power generation system" (micro-hydroelectric power generation), which has been jointly researched by Nagasaki University and West Fluid Technology Research Institute (Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture). Small hydroelectric power generation is a system that is installed in small rivers and waterways scattered across the country and can generate electricity efficiently even in a low head and low flow environment. Since it can generate electricity efficiently without damaging the natural environment, it is attracting a lot of attention from various industries. Demonstration experiments and permanent installations are already underway in various places, it has already been installed in about 10 locations.

President Kuwahara said, "Patents have been obtained for those incorporating new technologies. Recently, we have received inquiries from major gas companies, general contractors, leasing companies, LP gas companies, etc." In the future, He is considering expanding WaterWeco to about 20 countries with abundant water such as Southeast Asia and South America.

At "The 4th Eco-Pro Award"(sponsored by the Sustainable Management Promotion Organization) announced on September 8th, WaterWeco won the "Excellence of Perform Award". The "Eco-Pro Award" is highly evaluated by businesses, consumers, investors, and market participants in the Japanese market, and recognizes product, services, technology, solution, business model, etc. that incorporate specifically excellent environment friendly.

The main reason why the product received high praise are "high power generation efficiency and reducing maintenance costs", "efficient conversion of water flow to energy even in the event of a disaster" and "corresponds to fluctuations in power generation efficiency caused by various factors and improving power generation efficiency".

The award ceremony will be held on December 9th at the special stage of "Eco-Pro 2021" to be held at Tokyo Big Sight. Winners will be introduced at the special booth of the Eco-Pro Award of the Sustainable Management Promotion Organization.

Regarding future possibility, He said "Head works and torrent water works in agricultural canals are often divided into water, and many of these are present in terraced paddy fields. Also, the farmer’s population in rural areas is declining sharply, and infrastructure costs such as irrigation canals can no longer be covered by levies. But I think stable income can be secured by installing a small hydroelectric power generation and effectively converting hydroelectric energy into electricity.

For LP gas business, “The LP gas business may become difficult by realizing carbon neutral. Renewable energy, which is attention in the future, will be like one of the leading stocks for LP gas companies. Many of the effectiveness and safety management of small hydroelectric power generation are similar to the LP gas business, and it is also suitable as a joint business ". He emphasized that.