Vena Group today announced the commencement of commercial operations at its 72 MW Maniwa Solar Project in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan.
The Maniwa Solar Project transforms a former golf course into a solar power plant by repurposing previously developed land and reducing the need to develop additional land.
The Project underpins LY Corporation’s first Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA)* and is Japan’s largest single solar power facility dedicated to VPPAs to date.** Through this arrangement, the renewable energy generated by the Project provides environmental attributes that support LY Corporation’s decarbonisation efforts.
Digital Grid Corporation trades the clean energy generated by the Maniwa Solar Project on the Japan Electric Power Exchange, supporting the continued growth of Japan’s renewable energy market.
The Maniwa Solar Project supports Japan’s energy transition and broader environmental objectives by generating clean electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 18,500 households. Compared with conventional thermal power generation, the Project is expected to avoid around 40,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and conserve an estimated 68 million litres of water annually.
To mark the commencement of commercial operations, a completion ceremony was held with Noboru Ota, Mayor of Maniwa City, and members of the local community. Their understanding and support have been instrumental in bringing the Project to completion.
I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the successful completion of the Maniwa Solar Project. Maniwa City is advancing its decarbonisation efforts through close collaboration among citizens, businesses and the local government as we work towards our vision of becoming ‘Zero Carbon City Maniwa’ by 2050. We also appreciate the Project’s longstanding and constructive engagement with residents and its consideration of environmental conservation and safety. We hope the Maniwa Solar Project will contribute to a decarbonised society while supporting sustainable community development, regional revitalisation and job creation.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Okayama Prefecture, Maniwa City and the local communities for their invaluable guidance, understanding and continued support, which have made commercial operations at the Maniwa Solar Project possible. We are also honoured that the Maniwa Solar Project supports LY Corporation’s first VPPA. The commencement of commercial operations marks another important milestone in our commitment to expanding renewable energy in Japan. As we support Japan’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, Vena Energy remains committed to accelerating the energy transition while working closely with local communities to create lasting value.
* A VPPA is a financial power purchase agreement under which an electricity consumer purchases the environmental attributes associated with renewable energy generated by a power producer, based on the volume of electricity produced, without taking physical delivery of the electricity itself.
** Source: Digital Grid Research