J-POWER, Tokyo Metro ink VPPA to decarbonise railway operations

About 1,521 tonnes of carbon emissions will be eliminated.

J-POWER unit J-Solar Co., Ltd. has concluded a virtual power purchase agreement with Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd that will allow the latter to procure only the environmental value of the renewable energy generated at a dedicated power plant constructed offsite.

In a statement, J-POWER said Tokyo Metro will receive non-fossil certificates from the 1,999-kilowatt Himeji Oshio Solar Power Station for 20 years. These certificates represent the environmental value of approximately 3.9 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy generated annually. 

This agreement is estimated to reduce Tokyo Metro's carbon emissions by about 1,521 tonnes annually.

Tokyo Metro aims to cut carbon emissions from its operations by 50% by fiscal year (FY) 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by FY 2050.

J-POWER, meanwhile, has various renewable energy developments, focusing on hydroelectric, wind, geothermal, and solar power.