Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems and Nakoso IGCC Power GK have begun the on-site construction of a first-of-its-kind coal gasification furnace at Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan. The furnace will gasify coal, the product of which will fuel an integrated coal gasification combined cycle power plant which is due to begin operating in September 2020. Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems built a specialised plant with which to manufacture the components to construct the furnace, a sign of the innovation of the project as a whole and the company’s aim of building more such furnaces. The new 540 MW plant, to be run by Nakoso IGCC Power, is being described as the world’s most advanced coal-fired power plant, with significantly higher power generation efficiency and lower CO₂ emissions. Mitsubishi Hitachi is hoping that its technology will be deployed around the world.