Over 100 Japanese organisations achieve 100 percent renewable electricity

The Renewable Energy 100 Declaration RE Action Council released its “Annual Report 2025” last week, revealing that 106 participating organisations successfully converted 100 per cent of their electricity consumption to renewable sources during the 2024 fiscal year. The report highlights a growing trend of local production for local consumption, with organisations increasingly partnering with regional power providers to secure sustainable energy.

The Renewable Energy 100 Declaration RE Action is a framework designed for entities that do not meet the electricity consumption threshold for the global RE100 initiative, such as SMEs, educational institutions, and municipalities. The council, led by Representative Director Yukari Takamura, reported that the number of organisations achieving their 100 per cent renewable targets continues to rise annually.

According to the report, which covers activities from November 2024 to October 2025, the average target year for participants to achieve full renewable transition is 2036. However, ambition levels appear to be rising, as 191 organisations (approximately half of the total membership) have set their sights on achieving this goal by 2030. This acceleration suggests that Japanese non-state actors are moving faster than national targets in their pursuit of carbon neutrality.

A distinct feature of the 2024 fiscal year was the method of procurement. The report indicates that approximately 60 per cent of renewable energy contracts were signed with independent power producers, rather than traditional regional utility monopolies. Several organisations specifically selected local power companies, which supports the regional economy while reducing carbon footprints.

Furthermore, the quality of renewable energy is becoming a priority with the concept of “additionality” gaining traction. Organisations show interest in investing in new renewable energy generation rather than simply buying existing capacity. The survey revealed that 210 organisations believe they should consciously engage in procurement with additionality. 51 organisations reported that they either installed new power generation facilities or expanded existing ones during the reporting period.

Despite the progress, the report reminds that persistent challenges exist for smaller entities, with the most frequently cited issue as difficulty in assessing cost-effectiveness. Additionally, an increasing number of organisations reported that on-site solar power generation alone is insufficient to meet their total electricity demand. This physical limitation forces organisations to navigate a complex landscape of procurement options, comparing various renewable energy plans and off-site generation models to bridge the gap.

To assist organisations in navigating these hurdles, the Council simultaneously released 72 case studies on its website. These documents detail the specific triggers, methods, and future outlooks of participating groups, offering a practical roadmap for other SMEs and municipalities aiming for decarbonisation.