Yokoyoko Project

Yokoyoko Project is a project which intends to provide renewable electricity generated in Yokohama-cho, Aomori to the companies in Yokohama city, Kanagawa. Yokohama city has proposed the project “Zero Carbon Yokohama” which aims to reduce carbon footprint to zero by 2050. The project is part of
their global warming prevention plan which was released in 2018 in order to solve the environmental issues by working together with other regions. Yokoyoko Project was launched in September, 2019 based on the agreement about renewable energy between Yokohama city and 12 of the cities in the Tohoku region.

Yokohama-cho is located in the tip of the Shimokita peninsula which is the northernmost tip of the main island. It is said that Yokohama-cho is one of the good places to generate electricity as an east wind blown to the west in Summer and a west wind blows to the east in Winter. The electricity generated in those good conditions is firstly purchased by Tohoku Electric Power Co.,Inc. Then the power retailers purchase the electricity and send it all the way to Yokohama city, Kanagawa.

As of when Yokoyoko Project was launched, 9 of the companies in Yokohama City were using the renewable electricity from Yokohama-cho, and the number of the companies has been increasing to 15 since then. The electricity transported to Yokohama city is also used for the ocean liner “Hikawamaru” which is displayed in Minatomirai as the landmark of the area.

At the same time, Yokoyama-cho formed a council to promote renewable energy. The renewable electric power companies that agreed on the concept contribute part of their profit to Yokohama-cho so that Yokohama-cho gets benefit from the project as well.

1. Reinforce each region

Yokohama city has a large population so that they are lack of resources to provide enough electricity. Aomori-cho, on the other hand, has plenty of space but have a small population. Yokoyoko Project successfully grows strengths that each region has and demonstrates “Regional Circular and Ecological Sphere,” which is a model introduced by Japanese Government.

2. Link providers to consumers under blockchain system

The place where the value was created should get benefits. The system of blockchain which is provided by Minna-Denryoku Inc. certifies where the electricity came from, and it guarantees Aomori-cho get profits.

3. Maintain the Yokohama-cho society

Yokoyoko Project expects that the more people in yokohama recognize where the electricity they use is generated, the more they would be interested in Yokohama-cho where the electricity comes from, and it helps Yokohama-cho maintain their society.