Three Consumer Co-ops in Kansai region Launch 100% Renewable Electricity 'ZERO DENKI'

2019.05.14

While an increasing number of consumer co-ops nationwide have started operating their own electricity retail business that uses renewable energy, three co-ops, Osaka Izumi Co-operative Society, Co-op Shiga and Kyoto Co-op, have started the electricity rate plan having zero carbon dioxide emission factor.

The three consumer co-ops entered the electricity retail business in 2016. They started with two types of plans in accordance with the electricity usage, both of which are comparatively cheaper than the conventional electricity rates used in many general households. More than 60,000 households are using this facility (as of January 2019). As the number of subscribers increased and the supply got stabilized, the rate was reduced in July 2018.

The three co-ops started a new rate plan "ZERO DENKI (electricity)" from April 1. Its power supply configuration is 100% Feed-in-tariff (FIT) electricity generated by renewable energy. Its carbon dioxide emission factor is zero utilizing “J-Credit Scheme *”. Electricity charges are equivalent to the conventional electricity charges used in many ordinary homes.

Comment from "ZERO DENKI" staff: “By adding a plan that highly considers the environment to the existing two competitive price plans, we aim to contribute to co-op members’ household budget, the society and the environment.

* Certification by Japanese Government about the amount of greenhouse gas emissions (such as CO2) reduced or removed by sinks through efforts to introduce energy-saving devices and manage forests.

J-Credit Scheme website: https://japancredit.go.jp/english/