Marubeni Power Retail has entered into a framework agreement with Aeon to supply the Japanese shopping mall and supermarket operator with solar electricity. The initiative targets a total capacity of 200MW by the end of fiscal year 2028, the companies stated. Initial deliveries are expected within the current fiscal year.
Off-site model based on multiple solar plants
The arrangement is structured as an off-site Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), under which Marubeni Power Retail will aggregate output from several photovoltaic plants owned by undisclosed third-party companies. The electricity will be supplied to Aeon Group retail locations across Japan. Part of the capacity will use recycled panels provided by Rexia, a Marubeni affiliate.
This partnership aligns with Aeon’s broader energy procurement strategy, which has already included several decentralised solar initiatives. Aeon previously collaborated with Mizuho Bank and Ecostyle to install more than 1,000 low-voltage solar plants totalling approximately 120MW, with the output self-wheeled to around 50 locations.
Parallel deployment on car parks and regional subsidiaries
In parallel, the company installed 10.1MW of solar carports at seven shopping centres through on-site PPAs with Sun Trinity. A further 8.8MW is also planned. Additionally, Aeon’s regional subsidiaries Aeon Tohoku and Aeon Hokkaido have signed several off-site PPAs.
Expanded ambitions in renewable power aggregation
Marubeni Power Retail is pursuing a goal of aggregating 5GW in renewable capacity by fiscal year 2030. The company has recently signed multiple agreements, including a 5MW virtual deal with Tokyo Metro for non-fossil certificates linked to a small-scale hydropower plant, and a physical 18MW solar PPA with real estate manager Kennedix.
The agreement with Aeon ranks among the largest disclosed corporate PPA frameworks in Japan. It stands alongside the 150MW solar capacity development announced in November 2024 by Yanmar and SMFL Mirai Partners for virtual PPAs.
