Commercial, Solar, Sourcing Renewables  -  April 19, 2023

Toshiba Enters VPPA to Power HQ

Toshiba Corporation and its energy business company, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (ESS), signed a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) for the company’s Smart Community Center, which is Toshiba Group’s business headquarters in Kawasaki, Japan, according to an announcement. 

Toshiba will also purchase feed-in tariff (FIT) non-fossil certificates to reach the center's goal of using electricity that is 100% powered by renewable sources starting in April 2023. The company seeks to lower its GHG emissions by 70% by fiscal year 2030 from its  fiscal year 2019 level by investing in energy-saving equipment and promoting initiatives to increase the use of renewable energy sources.

ESS is the aggregator for the Smart Community Center VPPA, responsible for balancing power supply and demand at the Center. It will act as the intermediary between Toshiba and its power producer, Satsuma Green Power No. 2 Photovoltaic Power Plant in Kagoshima Prefecture, and facilitate Toshiba’s purchase of the environmental value generated by the plant.

The VPPA includes generation of about 510,000KWh of solar energy annually — which is about 7.3% of the Center’s estimated total power consumption in fiscal year 2022 — and will lower CO2 emissions by 244 tons per year. The Center’s remaining power needs will be virtually sourced with FIT non-fossil certificates, a combination that will cover 100% of the Center’s power consumption with purchases of renewable energy.