Achieving a Low Carbon / Carbon Neutral Society

We have been conducting basic research on highly efficient and innovative methanation^*1 technology, a promising technology for the decarbonization of city gas, and have succeeded for the first time in Japan in prototyping a practical-sized cell used for a new type of SOEC^*2, which is the key to realizing this technology. We believe that this technology will have potential uses not just for the decarbonization of city gas, but also for the efficient manufacturing of carbon neutral fuels such as hydrogen and synthetic liquid fuels, and other substances. Accordingly, we will accelerate our research and development efforts through industry-government-academia collaboration, and alliances with various business partners, as we aim to establish this technology around 2030.

In FY2021.3, we endeavored to contribute to the development of renewables by collaborating with various stakeholders. In terms of developing power sources, we acquired a solar power plant by investing in D&D Solar GK, which was established to hold solar power asset, together with Development Bank of Japan Inc. Additionally, we also focused on developing various power sources, including joint investment in an onshore wind power project and participation in a biomass power project.

With regard to procuring electric power, we entered into a bilateral contract with West Holdings Corporation for the long-term procurement of electricity generated at thousands of small-scale solar power facilities to be developed by West HD in FY2022.3.