How community partnerships drive scalable energy solutions
Through shared ownership, transparent revenue allocation, and community-led decision-making, the Waita Model model ensures long-term stability, economic growth, and clean energy deployment.
This article by the World Economic Forum describes how the collaboration between the Japanese geothermal developer Furusato Netsuden and the Oguni Town community in the Kumamoto Prefecture took shape. The Waita Model is based on two power plants in which local land remains in the hands of its original owners, and the rights to the wells drilled there are held by the local community.
With the Waita No. 2 power plant now online and a 30 MW+ pipeline in development, this approach demonstrates how structured community participation can unlock geothermal’s full potential, aligning energy goals with local prosperity.
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