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EnvironmentSustainability

Issue Awareness

As the world’s population grows and the global economy develops, we see increasingly severe environmental issues on a global scale, including overuse of resources, waste and pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Global warming, in particular, is progressing due to increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, and disasters caused by extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense worldwide, threatening people’s livelihoods and economic activities.

Amid this situation and in response to the agreements by the international community on SDGs and the Paris Agreement, the development of targets and frameworks for climate change countermeasures, conservation of biodiversity, and the creation of a recycling-oriented society is accelerating. As such, there are increasing demands and expectations for governments and corporations to take action.

JERA is committed to taking the initiative in working to solve environmental issues while coordinating with our stakeholders by utilizing our technologies and know-how to realize a sustainable society conducive to both environmental conservation and economic growth.

Fundamental Approach

As a leader in the domestic thermal power generation industry, JERA respects energy and environmental policies such as the Basic Energy Plan and actively promotes the development of renewable energy.

Furthermore, we seek to become a global energy company and are fully aware of the need to protect the environment on a global scale. We strictly observe the environmental laws and ordinances of each country and territory and work to reduce our environmental footprint, which includes reducing CO2 emissions to realize a sustainable environment, society, and economy.

Environmental Management System

To minimize resource consumption and the generation of environmentally hazardous substances, we are actively working to improve power generation efficiency, reduce our CO2 emissions, remove air pollutants, and recycle waste. In addition, we have established a Sustainability Promotion Committee for the purpose of enhancing ESG management. This cross-divisional committee is chaired by the President and reports directly to the Board of Directors. Meanwhile, the Environmental Subcommittee reports on the plans and results of environment-related initiatives for each fiscal year. The Environmental Subcommittee will continue to play a central role in better environmental management and contributing to the development of a sustainable society.

Environmental Education

We provide training for employees involved in environmental operations at our power plants and other facilities so that they can acquire the necessary knowledge and skills concerning the environment. Training levels correspond to job class and proficiency, and we are working to develop environmental education programs for employees.

Reducing CO2 Emissions

In October 2020, we announced JERA Zero CO2 Emissions 2050 as our commitment to curbing CO2 emissions for the future.

With a mission of providing cutting-edge solutions to the world’s energy problems, we will take on the challenge of achieving net zero CO2 emissions from our operations in Japan and abroad by the year 2050 in order to realize a sustainable society.

We also continue to work on ongoing renewable energy initiatives, which include promoting our business both in Japan and overseas and participating in related organizations. With offshore wind power, we have participated in projects in the U.K. and Taiwan and are now considering development projects in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region. In our solar power generation operations, in addition to participating in projects throughout Asia, we have signed a business alliance agreement with West Holdings Corporation in Japan and plan to develop facilities with a total capacity of more than 1 GW by the end of FY2025. Our efforts to reduce CO2 emissions from thermal power generation include the implementation of large-scale woody biomass co-firing (co-firing rate of 17%) at Taketoyo Thermal Power Station Unit 5, which started commercial operation in August 2022, and work on a proof-of-concept for hydrogen and ammonia combustion.

JERA will promote the adoption of greener fuels and pursue zero-emission thermal power during power generation. We aim to achieve zero emissions by supplementing the introduction of renewable energy, which is susceptible to natural conditions, with zero-emission thermal power, which can generate electricity in a stable manner without CO2 emissions.

Reducing CO2 Emissions1

[Taketoyo Thermal Power Station Unit 5] Highly efficient coal-fired power generation using an ultra-supercritical (USC) power generation system

Reduce CO2 emissions using woody biomass fuel co-firing

Preventing Air Pollution

Air pollutants emitted from our thermal power plants include sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), soot, and dust, primarily from boiler exhaust. In order to comply with emission standards set by laws and ordinances as well as environmental conservation agreements with municipalities, we are improving combustion methods and working to reduce emissions by installing exhaust gas desulfurization equipment, exhaust gas denitration equipment, electrostatic precipitators, and other equipment. In FY2021, our SOx and NOx emissions per unit of production were 0.03 g/kWh and 0.07 g/kWh, respectively, which are extremely low compared to major Western countries.

SOx and NOx Emissions Per Unit of Power Generation Output in Major Countries (2019) (Thermal power plants)

主要国の発電電力量あたりのSOx、NOxの排出量比較(2019年)(火力発電所)

Source: Based on OECD Stat Extracts (for emissions)
and IEA World Energy Balances 2021 (for power generation output)

Water Quality Conservation Measures(Consideration for Marine Environments)

Wastewater generated by our thermal power plants is purified by wastewater treatment facilities in order to comply with the effluent standards of laws and ordinances, as well as environmental conservation agreements we have with municipalities. We discharge this wastewater appropriately while monitoring it using continuous water quality measurement equipment. In addition, to keep the temperature of the seawater used in the condenser from rising, we take it in slowly from the deeper layers where the temperature is lower. When discharging it, we do so slowly to the surface by reducing the discharge velocity, giving full consideration to the environmental impact on the surrounding sea.

Initiatives Related to Resource Recycling

Initiatives Related to Resource Recycling
We are actively engaged in recycling to make effective use of limited resources. The main waste we generate is coal ash from our coal-fired thermal power stations. We are promoting the effective use of coal ash as a raw material for cement and land development because of its excellent properties, which include fine grain, light weight, and increased strength. Our effective utilization rate of coal ash in FY2021 was 99.99%.

The Plastic Resource Circulation Act went into effect in April 2022. We are also actively promoting the reduction and recycling of industrial waste associated with products that use plastic generated by our business activities. The amount of waste plastic discharged and the effective utilization rate in FY2021 were 362 tons and 98.56%, respectively.

State of Waste Treatment Facility Maintenance

The Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act requires that information on the status of the maintenance and management of waste treatment facilities be made public. We properly maintain and manage the appropriate waste treatment facilities and provide online reports regarding facility maintenance (type and amount of waste disposed of, results of water quality measurements performed on discharged water, facility inspection results, etc.). In FY2021, we began reporting the status of Kinuura Landfill No. 1.

Control of Chemical Substances

We observe the requirements of the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Act (PRTR) for chemical substances used at thermal power plants and are working on strict control and reduction of emissions based on internal rules.

Compliance with Environmental Legislation

We make efforts toward environmental conservation by conducting business based on environmental laws and regulations as well as local ordinances and environmental conservation agreements with municipalities. In FY2021, there were no cases involving fines or sanctions for violations of environmental laws and regulations.

Environmental Impact Assessments and Consideration of Environments Surrounding Power Plants

When constructing or replacing power plants, we conduct assessments of the environmental impact on the surrounding environment both during construction and after the plant is operational in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Act. We then explain the results to the municipality and community members and engage in dialogue with them.

Based on the results of these environmental impact assessments, we strive to conserve the surrounding environment by implementing appropriate noise and vibration control measures, industrial waste control measures, and landscape preservation measures, taking into consideration the impact on the surrounding environment.

Primary Measures

Measure Description
Measures for Noise and Vibration Control Our noise and vibration control measures include choosing the proper placement of buildings and equipment, adopting equipment for reducing noise and vibration, and installing silencers and sound barriers.
Measures for Industrial Waste Control We take steps to properly treat waste by creating manuals tailored to the operations of individual thermal power plants.
Measures for Landscape Preservation We make efforts to ensure that power plants blend in with local scenery while considering costs. See also: “Coexisting with Local Communities”

Preserving Biodiversity

When endangered plants and animals are identified in the environmental impact assessment, we take steps to preserve biodiversity, including efforts to maintain and restore habitats and ecosystems.

The environmental impact assessment conducted when replacing the Yokosuka Thermal Power Plant (Units 1 and 2) showed that the area was inhabited by falcons, which are designated as a rare endangered species in Japan. Accordingly, we took measures to avoid affecting their habitat, which included using low-noise, low-vibration machinery during construction. We also installed nesting boxes for falcons in the new stack to create an environment conducive to nesting. We will continue our efforts to preserve the habitat by maintaining green areas in consideration of the falcons’ hunting environment.

Green space development at the Yokosuka Thermal Power Station

The environmental impact assessment conducted when replacing the Yokosuka Thermal Power Plant (Units 1 and 2) showed that the area was inhabited by falcons, which are designated as a rare endangered species in Japan. Accordingly, we took measures to avoid affecting their habitat, which included using low-noise, low-vibration machinery during construction. We also installed nesting boxes for falcons in the new stack to create an environment conducive to nesting. We will continue our efforts to preserve the habitat by maintaining green areas in consideration of the falcons’ hunting environment.

Environmental Initiatives