Geothermal energy is gaining renewed attention in Japan as a reliable and low carbon power source, and Japan Prime Realty Investment Corporation is placing it firmly at the heart of its sustainability strategy.
The company has introduced a geothermal energy based offsite corporate PPA to supply clean electricity to its Nakano Central Park East office building in central Tokyo, in partnership with Nippon Steel Engineering and Kyuden Mirai Energy.
As Japan pushes forward with its energy transition, renewable sources contributed 26.1 percent of the country’s total electricity generation in fiscal 2023. Within this mix, geothermal power stands apart for its stability. Generated using heat from beneath the earth’s surface, geothermal electricity is not influenced by sunlight, wind or seasonal change. This makes it one of the few renewable energy sources capable of delivering a constant and dependable supply of power throughout the day and night.
The geothermal electricity used in this initiative is produced at four power plants operated by Kyuden Mirai Energy, including facilities in Oita and Kagoshima prefectures. Power from these sites will be delivered to the Tokyo office building through Nippon Steel Engineering, which serves as the retail electricity provider. By using geothermal energy as its base electric power, the building benefits from a steady renewable supply that supports long term energy security.
The initiative is expected to deliver around 900 MWh of geothermal electricity each year, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 360 tonnes annually. This reduction is comparable to the amount of CO2 absorbed by about 26,000 cedar trees over a year. The move will also increase the building’s renewable energy self sufficiency rate to roughly 26 percent, reinforcing the role of geothermal power in reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
For Japan Prime Realty, geothermal energy supports broader decarbonisation goals. The company has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 46.2 percent by 2030 compared with 2019 levels and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. By embracing geothermal power, Japan Prime Realty is highlighting how stable underground energy can drive sustainable real estate development and help shape a cleaner energy future for urban Japan.