Towards a Decarbonized Society by 2050! Otaru City Launches 2026 Project to Introduce Renewable Energy for Local Businesses

Enerbank Co., Ltd. (Co-founders and Representative Directors: Shogo Sato, Kenichi Muranaka; Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo) has partnered with Otaru City to begin recruiting participants for the 'Otaru Renewable Energy Joint Purchase Project' starting May 11, 2026, targeting consumers scheduled to begin electricity supply from April 2027. This project is part of Otaru City's concrete initiatives to achieve its 'Zero Carbon City Otaru' goal, supporting the introduction of renewable energy for businesses within the city by utilizing the 'Ene-Oku' power reverse auction. We support the procurement of renewable energy electricity and non-fossil certificates.

**Overview of the Otaru Renewable Energy Joint Purchase Project's Initiatives**

This project promotes the following initiatives:

**1. Promotion of Renewable Energy** We support the procurement of renewable energy electricity for businesses within the city by utilizing a power reverse auction. A reverse auction is a system where multiple electricity providers bid, allowing for the selection of the optimal electricity contract, aiming to both suppress electricity prices and promote renewable energy.

**2. Promotion of FIT Non-Fossil Certificate Utilization** We recommend the use of FIT non-fossil certificates as a means of procuring renewable energy electricity for businesses within the city, aiming to improve the effective renewable energy ratio. Through joint purchasing, we provide a procurement method that suppresses prices by creating scale merits compared to individual businesses procuring electricity separately.

**Achievements in Renewable Energy Joint Auctions in the Same Power Area**

* The reduction effect is not uniform for all participants. * This is an auction result for FY2025 and does not guarantee reductions in FY2026.

**Collaboration with Otaru City**

To achieve 'Zero Carbon City Otaru,' we aim to promote the introduction of renewable energy electricity to businesses within the city. On December 17, 2024, we concluded an 'Agreement on the Promotion of Renewable Energy Electricity Utilization' with Otaru City.

Renewable energy electricity tends to have higher costs than conventional electricity due to its higher proportion of renewable energy sources. However, by utilizing the 'Ene-Oku' power reverse auction, re-bidding is possible while checking the bid prices of other companies, allowing businesses to procure renewable energy electricity at a more appropriate price.

Given the current situation where rising electricity market prices make it difficult for businesses to procure electricity, we will support smooth electricity procurement for businesses by utilizing digital solutions that can handle complex electricity rate structures, including market-linked and unique fuel cost adjustments. Businesses that switch to renewable energy electricity will be introduced on Otaru City's official website, allowing them to utilize this for PR regarding their environmental efforts.

**Key Points and Benefits of the Renewable Energy Joint Purchase Project**

**— Benefits of Participation —**

* **Cost Reduction:** By jointly purchasing electricity, multiple businesses can achieve scale merits, which is expected to lead to lower costs for introducing renewable energy compared to negotiating individually with retail electricity providers. * **Environmental Consideration:** Choosing renewable energy that does not emit greenhouse gases contributes to environmental protection. * **Improvement of Corporate Value:** Contributing to an improved corporate image that is environmentally conscious. By fulfilling corporate social responsibility (CSR) and building a sustainable management model, competitiveness can be strengthened. * **DX of Electricity Procurement Operations:** All procedures are completed online, making it easy for anyone to switch to renewable energy electricity. Enerbank also supports complex electricity menu selection, leading to improved operational efficiency. * **Reliability:** As a project led by a local government, it offers high reliability, allowing for secure participation.

Utilizing Enerbank's digital solutions, we will work together to solve daily challenges such as decarbonization efforts, cost reduction, and DX promotion.

We will provide optimal proposals tailored to the situation and concerns of each company, so please consider participating in this project at this opportunity.

**WEB Briefing Session / Individual Consultation Application Here**

WEB Briefing Session: June 18, 2026 (Thursday) 14:00-14:30 URL: https://www.enerbank.co.jp/otaru-city/ Participation Fee: Free

**■ Please contact us from the following windows for inquiries.**

* For local government officials: https://form.run/@RE-guide1 * For retail electricity providers: https://form.run/@RE-guide2 * For private businesses considering renewable energy electricity introduction: https://form.run/@RE-guide3

**[Company Profile]** Company Name: Enerbank Co., Ltd. Representative Director: Shogo Sato / Co-founder Representative Director: Kenichi Muranaka / Co-founder Director CT