History of the Kyuden Group

Economic recovery and increased demand for electricity

This period was a period of the first steps leading to rapid economic growth, driven by postwar recovery and the economic boom due to the Korean War. The main industries included steel, petrochemicals, and shipbuilding, while production of household appliances and passenger cars was also started. Industrial modernization, and the Jinmu and Iwato economic booms resulted in continued industrial expansion together with an increase in the demand for electricity.
There was a rapid spread of the use of fluorescent lighting in homes as well as household appliances such as electric rice cookers, electric heaters, black and white televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines. Improvements in living standards resulted in color televisions, air conditioners, and similar devices becoming widespread, as well as a significant increase in the demand for electric lighting.

Development of power resources to stabilize the demand and supply of electricity

The rapid increase in the demand for electricity resulted in a nationwide tightness in the supply and demand of electricity.Kyushu Electric Power also developed power resources with the construction of the Kamishiiba Power Station (hydropower), featuring Japan's first large-scale arch dam, and high-capacity state-of-the-art thermal power stations such as Unit 1 of the Omura Power Station. The main transmission system of Kyushu was constructed by connecting thermal power stations and major power consumption areas in northern Kyushu with hydropower stations in the south by using 220,000-volt transmission lines. As a result, the foundation for electricity supply was established ahead of the rest of the country.
Additionally, Kyushu Electric Power established a nuclear research laboratory based on the Atomic Energy Basic Act that was passed in 1955, which set forth the "peaceful use of atomic energy" as its basic policy. This was followed by the establishment of a policy to introduce nuclear power stations as well as a framework for their construction.

Collapse of the bubble economy and long-term stagnation

The bubble economy that began in the second half of the 1980s culminated in the Nikkei Stock Average reaching a record high (at that time) in 1989. After that, however, stock and land prices started to decline, leading to problems of non-performing loans and deteriorating financial conditions of financial institutions. The Japanese economy entered a period of long-term stagnation.
Although the Japanese economy entered a period of recovery in the 2000s amid a backdrop of a global economic boom, the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 triggered a global financial crisis and the deterioration of the real economy, leading to a global recession.The trend toward deregulation that started in the 1980s also came to the electric power industry. Competition was introduced into the power generation market in 1995 and liberalization of the electricity retail market expanded gradually from 2000 onward.
Additionally, as responding to global warming became an international issue, the Kyoto Protocol, which included greenhouse gas reduction targets, was adopted at the Third Conference of the Parties (COP3) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Kyoto in 1997. Accordingly, the national government, local governments, and businesses started implementing formal measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Towards achieving a low-carbon society

Electricity demand continued to grow steadily despite the economic downturn following the collapse of the bubble economy. Amid this, Kyushu Electric Power started operation of various power stations and sought to diversify power resources in order to provide a stable supply of electricity and reduce costs. Stations that started operation included Shin Oita System 1 (LNG) in 1991, Genkai Units 3 and 4 (nuclear) in 1994 and 1997, Reihoku Unit 1 (coal) and Yamagawa Power Station (geothermal) in 1995, and Omarugawa Unit 4 (pumped-storage) in 2007. As part of efforts to achieve a low-carbon society, the Company started proactively introducing renewable energy sources with Koshikijima Wind Power Station and Noma-Misaki Wind Park Station starting operation in 2003. Furthermore, with the aim of establishing the nuclear fuel cycle, Japan's first plutonium-thermal power generation began at Genkai Unit 3 in 2009.
The Company began considering entry into overseas businesses against the backdrop of factors such as the gradual progress of electricity deregulation and the slowing growth of domestic electricity demand. In 1999, it established Kyuden International to conduct operations specializing in overseas business. In 2009, it also established Kyuden Ecosol (now known as Kyuden Mirai Energy), the first company in Japan to engage in the on-site solar power generation business. Viewing changes in the business environment as opportunities, the Company proactively expanded its business.
In 2007, "Enlighten Our Future" was established as a new corporate philosophy in order to build long-term trust-based relationships with society and customers, even amidst changing times. In response to growing social interest in global warming and corporate social responsibility (CSR), the Company established the "Kyushu Electric Power Group Environmental Charter" and "Kyushu Electric Power Group Conduct Charter" among other initiatives, aiming for coexistence with society and sustainable business operations.

Increasing severity of natural disasters and growing uncertainty regarding international affairs

On March 11, 2011, the tidal wave caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake reached the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Water entered the reactor and important safety functions such as status monitoring were lost, resulting in an extremely severe accident in which the core was damaged. In light of this accident, the Nuclear Regulation Authority was established in 2012 and made responsible for safety regulations of nuclear power stations. New regulatory standards were established in 2013.
The nuclear power station accident together with the subsequent severe strain on electricity supply and demand led to progress in electric power system reforms. These included the establishment of the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators in 2015, full liberalization of the electricity retail market in 2016, and legal unbundling of the transmission and distribution sector in 2020. The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme for renewable energy was started in 2012 to promote the expansion of renewable energy sources.
Meanwhile, extensive damage was caused by natural disasters such as the Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016, as well as various other earthquakes, typhoons, and torrential rain in areas all across Japan. Additionally, Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. It became increasingly difficult to secure energy resources such as natural gas and oil, sending prices soaring.

A promise to improve the safety of nuclear power
and efforts to create a new system

The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station caused a massive loss of public trust in the safety of nuclear energy, resulting in the suspension of operations at all of Kyushu Electric Power's nuclear power stations by the end of 2011. The Company implemented various safety measures, passed reviews to ensure compliance with the new regulatory standards, and gained the support of the local community, resulting in restarting normal operation at Sendai Unit 1 in 2015, the first unit in Japan to do so.The Kumamoto Earthquake caused massive power outages due to landslides in areas around power transmission towers and similar problems. With support from power companies all across Japan in addition to partner companies, the Company devoted all its efforts to the restoration work.The second half of the 2010s saw the rapid spread of renewable energy sources such as solar due to the introduction of the FIT system. Based on Japan's priority dispatch rules, efforts are being made to achieve both the expansion of renewable energy sources and the stable supply of electricity.
Additionally, reforms to the electric power system led to the splitting off of the transmission and distribution sector to form the Kyushu Electric Power Transmission and Distribution subsidiary in 2020. That same year, the Urban Development Business Headquarters was established to respond to social and market trends by strengthening collaboration among the urban development, real estate, and infrastructure service businesses.In 2025, the "Kyuden Group Strategic Vision 2035" was formulated as the Company's medium- to long-term business direction. KYUDEN Holdings will be founded in 2026 to drive further growth of the Kyuden Group, and the Group will transition to a holding company structure.