Tokyo launches Tocho Electricity Plan for sustainable energy sourcing

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has launched the “Tocho Electricity Plan,” an initiative designed to support its goals of reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The Tocho Electricity Plan aims to utilize surplus electricity generated by residential solar power systems in Tokyo, which is available after the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) period expires. The FIT period for most residential systems lasts ten years, with expiration dates beginning in November 2019 and continuing thereafter. Through this initiative, electricity generated beyond the FIT period can be purchased and used in metropolitan facilities to ensure the energy supply is sourced entirely from renewables.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has partnered with Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., which will purchase the surplus electricity from households at a rate of 11 yen per kWh. The application process for the fiscal year 2024 begins on November 18, 2024, and the purchasing period runs from December 1, 2024, until December 2025. The program will close once the total purchasing volume reaches 17,000 kW, which is expected to involve approximately 5,000 households.