Epson has shared details on their transition to renewable energy and boasted how they are the first among Japan’s domestic manufacturing industry to conquer the cost challenges of fully switching to renewable electricity.
Epson started acquiring renewable energy in 2016 despite the significant capital investment needed to do so. By November 2021, they managed to cut 250,000 tons of CO2 emissions. That means that Epson managed to complete the transition to renewable energy in just six years.
The shift is also expected to help Epson reduce its emissions by roughly 400,000 tons annually.
With this, Epson was able to set a benchmark for 100% renewable energy in Japan’s manufacturing sector. Everywhere else, Epson has customized its approach to fit a country’s specific energy source.
In the Philippines, Epson is tapping local geothermal and hydroelectric sources for their energy needs. Their subsidiary in Indonesia capitalizes on the local palm industry by using palm kernel shells as a sustainable source of biomass energy.
Furthermore, Epson develops and co-creates other power sources with its ongoing renewable electricity purchases. They have teamed up with Nagano Prefecture and Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Company Inc., to support the hydroelectric power plants in the said area. Two plants are already up and running, which generates 5,770kW of power. More plants will be up and running next.
As a long-term goal, Epson aims to be carbon-negative by 2050 and plans to invest JPY100 billion over the next decade to do so.