Large-scale Carport-type Solar Power Generation Facility, With Some of the Largest Power-Generating Capacities at an Airport in Japan (2.6MW), to be Installed at Hiroshima Airport
Will Enable Hiroshima Airport to Cut CO2 Emissions by 19%

January 27, 2023
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
Hiroshima International Airport Co., Ltd.

Key Points of this Release

1. A large-scale carport-type solar power generation facility, with among the largest generating capacities at an airport in Japan (2.6MW) to be installed at Hiroshima Airport.
2. Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., the largest shareholder in Hiroshima International Airport Co., Ltd., is working together with the company to advance this project in an effort to achieve the decarbonization of Hiroshima Airport.
3. To achieve carbon neutrality, Hiroshima Airport is also studying other steps, including further expansion of solar power generation facilities, deployment of electric vehicles and the installation of energy-conserving equipment.

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., a leading global real estate company headquartered in Tokyo, announced today that it has entered into a PPA agreement (power purchase agreement)*1 with Hiroshima International Airport Co., Ltd. to install, own and operate a carport-type solar power generation facility using parking lots at Hiroshima Airport. Power generated will be used by the Hiroshima Airport terminal building.

This initiative will reduce CO2 emissions at Hiroshima Airport by 19%. Going forward, the companies will continue working to achieve carbon neutrality at the Hiroshima Airport, advancing further decarbonization initiatives and contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.

*1 PPA Agreement (Power Purchase Agreement: A form of contract in which a third party installs a solar power generation system on the premises of the electric power consumer and supplies the power thus generated to that electric power consumer.

Project Scheme Overview

1. Overview of Initiative

Carport-type solar panels with a capacity of 2.6MW will be installed in the parking lot at Hiroshima Airport, and will supply 2,700MWh of power generated annually to the airport’s terminal building. This will reduce CO2 emissions by 1,450t-CO2 per year, and is expected to enable Hiroshima Airport to reduce its CO2 emissions*2 by about 19% per year. The facility is scheduled to begin operating in November 2023.

By employing carport-type solar panels, the facility can serve as a shield from heat in the summer and function as a shelter from rain during inclement weather, improving convenience for guests using the airport. It will also serve to enhance resilience by allowing the supply of power to the passenger terminal in the event of a disaster, and the supply of power to the outside via an outlet for stand-alone operation (emergency use) in the event of a power outage, etc.

Area for Installation of Solar Panels

2. Background

With the July 2021 introduction of a private-sector concession system, Hiroshima International Airport Co., Ltd., a private operating company, began operating Hiroshima Airport.

In fiscal 2021, Hiroshima International Airport Co., Ltd. was selected by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as a priority study airport, part of a review of initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions from airport facilities and vehicles, and the company has since studied steps toward decarbonization.

Making maximum use of its own expertise, Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., the largest shareholder in Hiroshima International Airport Co., Ltd., also worked with the company to push ahead with a review of efforts to promote decarbonization at Hiroshima Airport. As a result, it was decided that as a first step in those efforts, the airport would deploy renewable energy utilizing the PPA scheme.

3. Future Plans

Going forward, Hiroshima International Airport Co., Ltd. will continue working to achieve carbon neutrality at the Hiroshima Airport, promoting decarbonization initiatives including further deployment of renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy-saving equipment, etc., and contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.

* The initiatives covered in this press release are contributing to three of the UN’s SDGs.