#Japan #Nishinomiya #Enerbank #CO2-Free Energy

Enerbank and Nishinomiya City Collaborate for CO2-Free Public Energy

In a significant move towards sustainability, Enerbank, co-founded by Sogo Sato and Kenichi Muranaka, has joined hands with Nishinomiya City under the leadership of Mayor Toshiro Ishii. Their collaboration aims to promote the use of CO2-free energy in public facilities throughout Nishinomiya City by utilizing Enerbank's innovative Energy Reverse Auction Service, or “Eneoku.” This initiative promotes a competitive bidding process to secure electricity contracts that are both environmentally friendly and financially beneficial.

Details of the Collaboration

Key Points of the Partnership

The partnership's focus includes several core areas:
1. Exploration and implementation of reverse auction mechanisms for purchasing electricity for public facilities.
2. Gathering and sharing information regarding CO2-free electricity.
3. Addressing any other matters deemed necessary by both parties.

This cooperative agreement marks a major step in Nishinomiya's pledge to evolve into a Zero Carbon City by the year 2050. Initiated by Mayor Ishii's declaration in 2021, the roadmap outlines ambitious goals to substantially reduce carbon emissions through active participation from residents, businesses, and government.

Outcome of Electricity Procurement

Enerbank's auction results showcased a substantial reduction in costs:

• - Start Price: ¥178,842,964
• - Winning Bid Price: ¥134,844,938
• - Savings Rate: -24.6%

Unlike traditional bidding practices that typically permit one bid per company, the reverse auction format allows multiple bids from retailers, enabling them to compete and offer more economical CO2-free solutions. This method paves the way for cities like Nishinomiya to achieve their sustainability targets at lower costs.

Nishinomiya's Vision for a Zero-Carbon Future

Nishinomiya City's ambitious vision was reiterated in its Second Comprehensive Plan for Climate Change Countermeasures, revised in February 2022. By setting a long-term goal centered on achieving a Zero Carbon City by 2050, they aim to slash CO2 emissions significantly, ensuring that public agencies lead by example.
In March 2023, additional plans were revealed to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 65% compared to 2013 levels. Those measures include implementing energy-efficient practices within government operations while promoting community participation.

Future Developments

While CO2-free energy options may present a slight initial increase in costs compared to conventional energy rates, the potential for a competitive landscape, as facilitated by the Eneoku reverse auction platform, allows businesses to procure renewable energy at more favorable prices. As energy prices have surged, the challenges for energy procurement have also risen, prompting a need for innovative solutions.
Enerbank intends to expand the use of Eneoku among public facilities in Nishinomiya gradually. The goal is to simultaneously reduce energy costs while minimizing the city’s carbon footprint effectively.

For local governments looking to achieve a Zero Carbon City or businesses interested in renewable energy options, Enerbank offers dedicated support via their designated services. Interested parties can find more information and access various application portals on their official website.

Contact and Additional Information

For inquiries related to local governments:

• - Local Government Inquiry

For retailer companies:

• - Retailer Inquiry

For businesses considering renewable energy solutions:

• - Business Inquiry

About Enerbank

Founded in July 2018 and headquartered in Tokyo, Enerbank specializes in the development and operation of electricity auction systems and environmental value trading platforms. Their offerings include green power certification, non-fossil certificate purchasing services, and digital concierge services aimed at energy procurement and decarbonization.
For more information about Enerbank, visit Enerbank Official Site.