Starting in April 2025, Hankyu Corporation will launch “carbon-neutral operations” across all its railway lines. This initiative will utilize electricity generated from new solar power facilities through a corporate PPA with Kansai Electric Power Company.
Electricity Equivalent to One Year of Osaka Umeda Station’s Consumption Generated by Solar Power
Hankyu Corporation will begin carbon-neutral operations on April 1, 2025, across all its lines in collaboration with Kansai Electric Power. By replacing the electricity used for train operations and station facilities with renewable energy, Hankyu aims to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 143,000 tons annually—equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of around 56,000 households.
Moreover, Hankyu has signed a corporate PPA with Kansai Electric to supply approximately 9.5 million kWh of electricity annually from newly constructed solar power facilities. This amount is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of Osaka Umeda Station and is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by around 4,000 tons. The introduction of these new solar facilities represents a significant step toward achieving a decarbonized society and creating environmental value.
This initiative marks the first time in Japan that a railway company will utilize renewable energy generated through a corporate PPA for part of its railway operations. Hankyu’s efforts demonstrate its leadership in reducing the environmental impact across the railway industry.
The Japan Private Railway Association and JR Group companies are collectively working toward the realization of a carbon-neutral Japan. Their goal is to promote greater use of railways as a relatively low-carbon mode of transportation (modal shift) and to enhance public understanding of the environmental advantages of railways. To support these efforts, they have introduced a common logo and slogan, and the entire railway industry is united in its PR initiatives.
https://www.mintetsu.or.jp/association/news/2023/22402.html
The homepage of the Japan Private Railway Association is here.