Japan gas companies ramping up sales of home fuel cell units amid uncertainty over power supplies

The Nikkei reports that major gas companies in Japan are ramping up their marketing of residential fuel cell systems amid the uncertainty over power supplies. The top three firms—Tokyo Gas, Osaka Gas and Toho Gas—are targeting a combined 56% jump in sales in fiscal 2012 from 9,250 units to 14,400 units.

Home-use fuel cell systems powered by natural gas are sold under the single Ene-Farm brand.

Tokyo Gas plans to sell 7,100 units next fiscal year, up 42% from the targeted 5,000 units for fiscal 2011.

Osaka Gas plans to raise fiscal 2012 sales to 6,000 units, double the target for this fiscal year. Osaka Gas is introducing a higher-efficiency model co-developed with Toshiba that will lower the cost. It also plans to introduce a solid oxide fuel cell units being developed with Kyocera.

Toho Gas plans to sell 1,300 units in fiscal 2012, a doubling from fiscal 2011.