DHL Supply Chain Japan Signs an Agreement With Agri-PV Partners to Achieve Carbon-Neutral Operations for Its Warehouse

The agreement enables the warehouse’s operations to be carbon-neutral by utilizing renewable energy and carbon offsetting methods

DHL Supply Chain Japan, the global leader in logistics, held a joint signing ceremony to mark the initiation of a project aimed at achieving carbon-neutral operations for its Sagamihara Logistics Center. This project brings together three strategic partners onboard: Green System Corporation, known for planning, designing and operating Agricultural Photovoltaics (Agri-PV) systems; Digital Grid Corporation, an aggregator with roots in the University of Tokyo laboratory; and ReENE Co., Ltd.*, a renewable energy-focused electricity retailer.

Central to this initiative is the innovative Agri-PV method that sees solar panels installed over farmlands, reducing environmental impact while supporting community revitalization and job creation. This approach uniquely combines renewable energy generation with agriculture.

DHL Supply Chain Japan will transform its 43,000 square meters Sagamihara Logistics Center into a carbon-neutral operation by powering it with a mix of renewable energy sources. This includes energy from over 1,000 solar panels installed by Green System Corporation in Tochigi prefecture, and additional purchased renewable energy through ReENE Co., Ltd. Digital Grid Corporation will forecast additional energy requirements beyond what is generated by the solar panels and support procurement of renewable energy backed by non-fossil certificates with tracking. This project is expected to commence in the last quarter of 2024.

“Everything we do at DHL serves the purpose of ‘Connecting People, Improving Lives,’” says Jérôme Gillet, President and Representative Director, CEO Japan and Korea, DHL Supply Chain. “This approach to achieve carbon-neutral operations for our warehouse reflects our commitment to sustainability, supporting DHL group’s ambitious 2025and 2030 ESG targets, as well as our 2050 zero emissions goal. By integrating solar power and agriculture through Agri-PV, we establish a sustainable energy supply and promote an efficient dual use of farmland. This provides new opportunities for the local community. As pioneers in green logistics in Japan, we are dedicated to leading these efforts and working closely with the local community to strive for a better future.”

“This joint initiative with DHL will help the agriculture sector to extend beyond just production, transforming it into a new industry intertwined with sustainability, information technology, and state-of-the-art technologies,” says Masashi Inoue, CSO & Executive Officer, Green System Corporation. “I hope that through sustainable agricultural practices, we can contribute to the local economy and provide insights into solving agricultural challenges in Japan.”

“I am delighted that DHL Supply Chain Japan is taking the lead in driving Agri-PV construction in Japan, and it is an honor for our team to be part of it,” Keita Kosugi, RE Solution Team, Digital Grid Corporation says. “We will continue our efforts to create a sustainable future by supporting DHL to implement more off-site Power Purchase Agreements.”

Hikaru Yoshii, Energy Solution Group, ReENE, Co., Ltd., adds, “We firmly believe in the importance of continuously promoting and integrating sustainable energy to create a sustainable future. Therefore, we are pleased to support DHL Supply Chain Japan in introducing renewable energy into their operations. With this project as a starting point, we aim to continue assisting DHL in implementing more renewable energy solutions and contribute to building a sustainable society.”

* The role of ReENE, Co., Ltd. in this project will be an intermediary.