What is a corporate PPA?
A corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a long-term contract between a power producer and a consumer for renewable energy-derived electricity and its associated environmental value, or for the environmental value alone. Recently, corporate PPAs have been gaining traction in Japan as a means for consumers to procure a stable, long-term supply of renewable energy.
The Cosmo Energy Group aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
*Power producer: A corporation or entity engaged in the business of selling generated electricity
*Consumer: A corporation or entity seeking a stable supply of electricity and/or its associated environmental value
COSMO’s Proactive Pursuit of PPAs
Aiming to realize a carbon-neutral society in collaboration with consumers, the Cosmo Energy Group is committed to exploring corporate PPAs not only for its existing wind farms but also for wind power plants scheduled to commence operations in the future.
Under a virtual PPA, Cosmo Eco Power will provide NTN Corporation with approximately 10 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) worth of environmental value associated with electricity generated at Chuki Wind Farm per year in the form of non-fossil certificates over a 16-year period.
| Facility capacity | 48,300 kW (2,100 kW x 23 wind turbines) |
|---|---|
| Contracted company | NTN Corporation |
| Related press release | Cosmo Eco Power Signs Corporate Power Purchase Agreement with NTN to Supply Renewable Energy from Chuki Wind Farm |
Cosmo Eco Power and U-POWER entered into an agreement to supply the entire amount of renewable energy generated by the Goto-Hassakubana Wind Power Plant (hereafter, “the Plant”) under a three-year, short-term corporate PPA, starting in November 2024. Additionally, the two companies have signed a one-year retail supply agreement, effective from November 2024, for the in-house generated electricity required to operate the Plant.
| Facility capacity | 1,200kW (1,200kW × 1 wind turbine) |
|---|---|
| Contracted company | U-POWER Co., Ltd. (U-NEXT HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. group company) |
| Related press release | Cosmo Eco Power to Start Supplying Electricity and Environmental Value Generated at its Goto-Hassakubana Wind Power Plant to U-NEXT HOLDINGS and U-POWER Customers via U-POWER ~Three-year Short-term Corporate PPA Concluded to Contribute to Renewable Energy Uptake~ |
In the first virtual PPA in the Japanese railway industry to utilize onshore wind power, Cosmo Eco Power provides Tokyo Metro with approximately 21 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) worth of environmental value (renewable energy certificates) per year, generated by the Himekami Wind Park.
| Facility capacity | 18MW (2MW × 9 turbines) |
|---|---|
| Contracted company | Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. |
| TEPCO Energy Partner, Inc. | |
| Related press release | Tokyo Metro Becomes First Railway Operator to Introduce a Virtual Onshore Wind PPA Set to Partially Transition Electricity Used by Ginza Line to Virtually 100% Renewable Energy |
Conclusion of an onshore virtual PPA
Cosmo Energy Holdings and Cosmo Eco Power entered into a basic agreement with West Japan Railway Company (JR West) to discuss further expanding the share of renewable energy-derived electricity used to power railway operations. This expansion effort is being achieved through an onshore virtual PPA – a contract that involves the direct purchase of only the environmental value of electricity generated. Under the agreement, Cosmo Eco Power will provide JR West with approximately 40 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) worth of environmental value associated with electricity generated at its Chuki Wind Farm per year.
| Facility capacity | 48,300kW |
|---|---|
| Contracted company | West Japan Railway Company |
| Related press release | Cosmo and JR West Sign Basic Agreement Toward Further Expansion of Renewable Energy ～Efforts to be Driven by Virtual PPA Centered on Wind Power Generation～ Cosmo Concludes First Virtual PPA With JR West ~Utilizing Cosmo Eco Power’s Chuki Wind Farm for Wind Power Generation~ |
Cosmo Eco Power is set to supply Amazon with renewable energy produced at the New Mutsu-Ogawara Wind Farm, which it is currently constructing, under a 20-year corporate PPA.
| Facility capacity | 33MW (4.3MW × 8 turbines, output curtailed to capacity specified on left) |
|---|---|
| Contracted company | Amazon |
| Related press release | Cosmo Eco Power Signs Corporate Power Purchase Agreement with Amazon to Supply Renewable Energy from New Mutsu-Ogawara Wind Farm |
Cosmo Eco Power signed a corporate PPA to supply Panasonic Operational Excellence with a portion of the electricity and environmental value generated by the Himekami Wind Park, which it operates, for approximately 15 years.
| Facility capacity | 18MW (2MW × 9 turbines) |
|---|---|
| Contracted company | Panasonic Operational Excellence Co., Ltd. |
| Related press release | Cosmo Eco Power Signs First Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to Supply Power Generated at the Himekami Wind Park to Panasonic Operational Excellence (available in Japanese only) |
Benefits of Corporate PPAs for Plant Operators and the Global Environment
Corporate PPAs Ensure the Business Sustainability of Both Power Producers and Consumers
Stabilization of Procurement and Supply Conditions
Corporate PPAs guarantee the stable supply of electricity over the long term by determining terms and conditions in long-term contracts between consumers and power producers for renewable energy-derived electricity. In addition, they enable electricity costs to be kept under control by shielding them from fluctuations in fossil fuel prices.
Corporate PPAs are Beneficial for Both the Planet and Corporations
Contribution to the Global Environment
The electricity supplied under the Cosmo Energy Group's corporate PPAs is generated from renewable energy. Long-term procurement of renewable energy also helps maintain the global environment as the world seeks to achieve net zero carbon emissions.
Group company Cosmo Eco Power Co., Ltd. is engaged in the long-term supply of renewable energy generated at wind farms through corporate PPAs.
Physical PPA
Under a physical PPA, the consumer purchases electricity and its associated environmental value as a package at a fixed price from a remotely located power generation facility.
Virtual PPA (Payment of Difference)
In a virtual PPA, the consumer purchases the environmental value of generated electricity, while the power producer sells electricity on the wholesale market. The consumer then pays the difference between the fixed contract price and the market price.
*Physical PPA and virtual PPA diagrams were created with reference to the Renewable Energy Institute’s Corporate PPA Guidebook.
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