Japanese retail group turns to solar power under corporate PPA model

Life Corporation, in partnership with Tokyo Gas and Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions (TGES), has agreed to implement an off-site Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to supply renewable electricity to nine of its stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Under the new agreement, set to begin in April 2026, approximately 2,200 kW of solar-generated power sourced from 11 solar facilities in northern Kanto will be delivered to these stores via Tokyo Gas and its sales agent TGES. This transition is expected to shift about 18% of annual electricity consumption at the selected locations to renewable energy, reducing roughly 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.

The off-site Corporate PPA model allows Life Corporation to procure renewable energy generated off-site and supply it through the general power grid, without owning generation assets at store locations. Tokyo Gas will also cover any remaining electricity demand with its conventional generation portfolio as needed.

This initiative supports Life Corporation’s mid-term sustainability goals, including its commitment to cut Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to fiscal 2013 levels — a target aligned with global efforts to limit average temperature rise to under 2 °C.

The partnership reflects broader efforts by Tokyo Gas Group to expand renewable use and reduce environmental impact across corporate supply chains, leveraging its “IGNITURE” solutions platform to promote smarter, sustainable operations.

Life Corporation is a major Japanese supermarket operator focused on fresh food retailing, with a strong presence in the Tokyo metropolitan area and other urban regions of Japan. The company operates hundreds of stores and is known for its emphasis on fresh produce, daily foods, and private-label products tailored to local consumer demand.

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source: lifecorp.jp