In July 2008, the nine-megawatt solar power plant reached completion. In August, feed-in tariff registration was accomplished, followed by the completion of a 3.6-megawatt expansion and the feed-in tariff registration in September. Partial power generation started on September 26 to mark the aspired launch of the solar (photovoltaic) power generation business. Full output is slated for early 2009, after peripheral power transmission facilities are put in place.
"There were moments at which we thought we would never make it," recalls Fukuhara, but they were able to because, "When the deadline became tighter, we were able to rid ourselves of any doubts. Everyone was facing one direction – we just had to do it." Ishimura offers this analysis: "One of the success factors was the depth of the relationship of trust built between local partners. The Company team was closely knit with Fukuhara in the center, and we all shared the same feeling. This created solidarity at critical junctions." Hagiwara and Takase added that another factor was that "we shared a strong wish to build the first solar power plant undertaken by a Japanese firm" and that "the strength of the Sumitomo Corporation group network was what enabled the mass procurement of solar power modules."
Tomoko Saito, who engaged in operations management, comments, "The dream I had before joining the Company came true – I wanted to work on a huge global project. It was pure delight to see the project I participated in make news; it made me proud."
In May 2008, the Tenerife project was featured on the cover page of a Nikkei morning edition. Fukuhara offers his view that "the fact that it made the top page reflects the appraisal of our demonstration of a new idea to build a power plant by massively installing power generation modules." One of the objectives of the project, according to Fukuhara, is to gain recognition for Sumitomo Corporation as the expert of solar power generation business through its various initiatives. With growing social interest in the environment, topics related to solar power are often picked up by mass media – recently in many cases introducing Sumitomo Corporation as the forerunner.
Sumitomo Corporation positions solar (photovoltaic) power generation business as one of its core environmental businesses. The Company is seeking deals in numerous locations in Europe with an aim to expand the business. Masayuki Nitta, Environment Business Department, says future ambitions are to "become the global leader in solar power generation, and in the long run, to spin off to further expand business."
"Contribute to the social effort to create a low-carbon society, while helping increase corporate revenue" – Fukuhara and his team are ready to take on the next challenge in order to realize this vision of Environment Business Department.
There was no recognition of the Sumitomo Corporation name on Tenerife Island, except among longstanding business partners, so it was quite natural that the local people should be strongly suspicious of the Company team members. To somehow break the ice, members made efforts to form person-to-person relationships with the local people and to communicate from the heart. For example, when a family member of the property owner was hospitalized, the team put aside negotiations and offered an amulet, and prayed with the property owner for the success of the treatment. As the team associated with the local people in such a manner, the nature of the relationship gradually changed from suspicion to trust, leading to outstanding teamwork, as reflected in how both addressed each other: "Mi amigo (my friend)!" and "Somos amigos (we are friends)!"
