GDX Publishes 'Municipal Power Procurement Guide Vol. 3': Structural Shift from Bidding to ESP Model

The Association for Municipal Digital Transformation (GDX) has published 'Municipal Power Procurement Guide Vol. 3.' This guide, distributed by mail to municipalities nationwide, summarizes the current status and issues of municipal power procurement, along with case studies of the ESP (Energy Service Provider) model. The guide addresses the current state and challenges of municipal power procurement, introducing operational practices from the perspective of on-site staff through case studies of municipalities that have adopted the ESP model. It organizes key issues such as price negotiation, administrative efficiency, and environmental considerations from multiple angles. In this Vol. 3, the main interview features the case of Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It details how the city, which struggled with sufficient procurement through traditional bidding, proceeded with the introduction of the ESP model, told through the voices of staff members. Furthermore, the voices of seven other municipalities that have adopted the ESP model are included, sharing their unique perspectives on the challenges they faced, the background behind choosing the ESP model, and their operational status. Additionally, following the previous survey, GDX is conducting a 'Survey on Municipal Power Procurement and Operation' to understand the current situation. (The survey form is included with the guide.) In the previous survey conducted in May 2025, 67.2% of municipalities responded that they 'have almost no opportunities for information exchange with other municipalities,' revealing the reality of staff facing the dual burden of heavy workloads and isolation. Through this survey, GDX aims to continuously grasp the current status and challenges of municipal power procurement. We ask for the cooperation of all municipalities in this survey.