Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd. (TTE), Hokkaido Electric Power Company (HEPCO), and Air Water Hokkaido Inc. (AWH) have announced the signing of a joint development agreement to explore the provision of green hydrogen in Hokkaido’s Chitose area.
Hydrogen, which can be produced using electricity and other energy sources without emitting CO2 when burned, is anticipated to play a crucial role in achieving carbon neutrality. The updated Basic Hydrogen Strategy by the Japanese government in June 2023 underscores the importance of establishing a domestic hydrogen supply chain in Japan’s energy policy framework. Industries across various sectors have shown keen interest in hydrogen, not only as a next-generation fuel but also as a raw material for ammonia, methane, and other chemicals.
Chitose is home to Hokkaido’s aviation hub, including New Chitose Airport, and is surrounded by industrial zones housing diverse manufacturers. The area’s selection as the site for a next-generation semiconductor plant is expected to drive demand for green hydrogen as part of decarbonization efforts. In February 2022, Chitose City unveiled its “Zero Carbon City Chitose” initiative, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through a local-production-for-local-consumption green hydrogen plan.
On May 31, 2024, our feasibility study on green hydrogen supply in Chitose City and related infrastructure development, focusing on collaboration across Hokkaido, was approved for subsidies by Japan’s Agency for Natural Resources and Energy to support cluster development. Building on the joint development agreement and aligning with customer needs, MC, TTE, HEPCO, and AWH will assess suitable locations for hydrogen supply and storage, and explore optimal transportation methods to realize local-production-for-local-consumption of green hydrogen.
With the support of Hokkaido Prefecture, Chitose City, and our valued customers, we aim to establish a hydrogen cluster by 2030 and develop a green hydrogen supply chain across the broader Chitose area through collaboration with projects in other locations.
