
On December 10, 2024, Kansai Electric Power and McDonald’s Japan signed an off-site PPA involving 4MW worth of solar power plants to be developed by KDS Solar, a joint venture between the utility, Daiwa Energy & Infrastructure, and SMFL Mirai Partners.
Power supply is expected to start gradually from February 2025 as power plants in the portfolio are completed. Once fully operational, the portfolio is expected to generate approximately 7.5GWh per year, which will be supplied to 130 of the fast food chain’s Kansai area stores. The portion of power consumed at the 130 stores that will not be covered by the PPA will be purchased through Kansai EPCO’s renewable power retail plan.
McDonald’s Japan currently covers power consumption of around 450 stores in Tohoku, Chubu, Kansai, and Kyushu with carbon-free power and environmental value certificates and is working on expanding its number of “net zero” stores.
According to the Japan Energy Hub PPA database, KDS Solar agreed to supply power through at least two other off-site PPAs including a 5MW deal with Hankyu. Kansai EPCO has also been involved in multiple PPAs as both a generator and a retailer.