Sumitomo Metal Mining Launches On-site Self-Consumption Solar Power Service at Niihama Plant
Sumitomo Metal Mining and SMFL Mirai Partners have launched an on-site self-consumption solar service at the Niihama Plant. Using a PPA model for the first time, SMM aims to supply 2.2 million kWh annually, contributing to carbon neutrality and cost stabilization.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 20:06
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 13:56 (2h 24m after Collected)
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (President & Representative Director: Nobuhiro Matsumoto; "SMM") and SMFL Mirai Partners Co., Ltd. (President & Representative Director: Akira Ueda; "SMFL Mirai Partners"), a strategic subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd. (President & Representative Director: Tetsuro Imaeda), have concluded an agreement for the introduction of an on-site self-consumption solar power service (PPA model) at SMM's Niihama Plant (Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture), and announced that operations commenced in April 2026.
In this initiative, SMFL Mirai Partners installed approximately 3,000 solar panels on the roofs of all three production buildings at the Niihama Plant to supply the generated power to the facility. The equipment has a panel capacity of approximately 1.8 MW, making it a large-scale facility that allows for the introduction of renewable energy without the burden of initial investment. This marks the first time SMM has introduced solar power equipment through a PPA model.
The Niihama Plant began commercial production in 2025 as a base for producing cathode materials, which are materials for automotive secondary batteries. As part of its efforts toward achieving carbon neutrality, SMM is promoting the use of renewable energy for the electricity used at its plants. With the introduction of this equipment, it is expected that approximately 2.2 million kWh, equivalent to about 7% of the power used at the Niihama Plant, will be derived from solar power in FY2026. SMFL Mirai Partners will contribute to SMM's decarbonization and the stabilization of power costs.
■ Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
SMM is a company that has inherited the original business of the Sumitomo Group, which has a history of over 430 years. It provides materials that shape the future through the organic cooperation of three businesses: the "Resource Business," which conducts environmentally and socially conscious mine development and operation; the "Smelting & Refining Business," which creates high-quality metal materials from mineral resources; and the "Materials Business," which adds new value to materials required by the times.
■ Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing (SMFL) Group
The SMFL Group develops businesses such as financing services for capital investment in renewable energy and energy-saving equipment, the supply of CO2-free power through renewable energy businesses such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, and subsidy support services related to decarbonization. Going forward, the group aims to realize a sustainable society by providing a one-stop shop for various solutions to support the decarbonization management of customers who have factories and offices that consume large amounts of energy.
*PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) Model: A service in which a power generator installs solar power equipment on a consumer's premises and supplies the generated renewable energy to the consumer.
In this initiative, SMFL Mirai Partners installed approximately 3,000 solar panels on the roofs of all three production buildings at the Niihama Plant to supply the generated power to the facility. The equipment has a panel capacity of approximately 1.8 MW, making it a large-scale facility that allows for the introduction of renewable energy without the burden of initial investment. This marks the first time SMM has introduced solar power equipment through a PPA model.
The Niihama Plant began commercial production in 2025 as a base for producing cathode materials, which are materials for automotive secondary batteries. As part of its efforts toward achieving carbon neutrality, SMM is promoting the use of renewable energy for the electricity used at its plants. With the introduction of this equipment, it is expected that approximately 2.2 million kWh, equivalent to about 7% of the power used at the Niihama Plant, will be derived from solar power in FY2026. SMFL Mirai Partners will contribute to SMM's decarbonization and the stabilization of power costs.
■ Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
SMM is a company that has inherited the original business of the Sumitomo Group, which has a history of over 430 years. It provides materials that shape the future through the organic cooperation of three businesses: the "Resource Business," which conducts environmentally and socially conscious mine development and operation; the "Smelting & Refining Business," which creates high-quality metal materials from mineral resources; and the "Materials Business," which adds new value to materials required by the times.
■ Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing (SMFL) Group
The SMFL Group develops businesses such as financing services for capital investment in renewable energy and energy-saving equipment, the supply of CO2-free power through renewable energy businesses such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, and subsidy support services related to decarbonization. Going forward, the group aims to realize a sustainable society by providing a one-stop shop for various solutions to support the decarbonization management of customers who have factories and offices that consume large amounts of energy.
*PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) Model: A service in which a power generator installs solar power equipment on a consumer's premises and supplies the generated renewable energy to the consumer.