Group Photo from the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Maniwa Solar Project: Front row from the left, starting with the third person: Yusuke Toyoda, President and Representative Director of Digital Grid Corporation, Shuichi Nishida, Executive Officer and General Manager of the Sustainability Headquarters at LY Corporation, Raul Rienda, Head of Japan at Vena Energy, Nobuyuki Kameoka, chairman of Vena Energy Japan K.K. , and Atsuya Ito, Deputy Mayor of Maniwa City.
Setting a Record with Japan’s Largest Single-Unit Solar Plant for VPPAs
Vena Energy, a leading green energy solutions provider in the Asia-Pacific region, and LY Corporation (LYC) have signed Japan’s largest single-unit Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA)*1. This landmark deal centers on the 72 MW Maniwa Solar Project, which will be built on a repurposed golf course in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture, and is scheduled to be operational by 2026.
“In 2020, Maniwa City declared its commitment to becoming a ‘Zero Carbon City Maniwa,’ with the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Since then, we have worked tirelessly alongside our residents and businesses to steadily advance the development of a decarbonized community. Vena Energy has demonstrated a sincere and thoughtful approach by engaging deeply with our community in the project area through comprehensive and long-term communication, fostering mutual understanding throughout the process. Additionally, the company has entered into an environmental conservation agreement with Maniwa City, covering an extensive area that includes the project region. These dedicated efforts have culminated in the launch of the Maniwa Solar Project. I extend my heartfelt congratulations on this significant milestone. We eagerly look forward to Vena Energy’s continued contributions toward the realization of ‘Zero Carbon City Maniwa’ upon the project’s completion. We also deeply appreciate the company’s ongoing commitment to fostering a robust management system, creating local employment opportunities, and supporting the long-term sustainability of our region,” said Noboru Ota, Mayor of Maniwa City.
“This agreement is a significant step toward a sustainable future, one powered by clean energy. By partnering with LY Corporation on Japan’s largest Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA), we are helping to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy while contributing to local communities. Furthermore, the project is uniquely situated on previously developed land, reducing the need for additional development and contributing to a more sustainable energy solution.” said Raul Rienda, Head of Japan at Vena Energy.
The Maniwa Solar Project can generate clean energy equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 18,500 households. By avoiding around 40,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year and conserving approximately 68 million liters of water annually compared to thermal power generation, the project exemplifies sustainable energy practices. Additionally, its clean energy output is traded on the Japan Electric Power Exchange (JEPX) through Digital Grid Corporation, thereby facilitating the growth of Japan’s renewable energy market.
This VPPA enables LYC to power part of its operations with clean energy, advancing its sustainability goals while supporting Japan’s ambition to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. The Maniwa Solar Project offers robust clean energy generation with minimal impact to the environment while boosting local employment and community development.
*1Source: Digital Grid Research
*2The figures were calculated using Vena Energy environmental Metrics