Concerts Set to Get Rockin' and Rollin' on Wind-Generated Power

Hall Network, Inc., the operator of five large "Zepp" concert halls nationwide (Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka), has decided to run all of its live shows and events on green power (wind generated power) as of January 1, 2003.

Hall Network Inc., a Sony Music Entertainment Inc. related company, has been issued a "Certificate of Green Power" by Japan Natural Energy Company, Ltd. (JNEC). The JNEC-issued certificate indicates environmental value-added properties including energy savings (fossil fuel conservation) and carbon dioxide emission reductions. With this, all live concerts and events held at all five "Zepp" concert halls will be 100 percent powered by wind-generated electricity.

Specifically, the power generated at Tashirodaira Wind Power Station and Noshiro Wind Power Station in Akita Prefecture in the northwest of Japan will be indirectly supplied to customers through the "Green Power Certification System" provided by JNEC. "Zepp" concert halls are expected to contract 2.4 million kWh of wind-generated power annually.

"Zepp" concert halls are large music venues having a standing capacity of approximately 2,000 persons. There are no previous examples in the world of large concert halls running events on 100 percent green power.

An increasing number of musicians in Japan are showing an interest in environmental issues. A group of such musicians--including composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, and TAKURO of the rock band GLAY--have established a project called "Artists' Power." "Artists' Power" is working on a number of environmental issues, including trying to raise awareness of environmental issues and increase the use of renewable energy through music and music-related efforts.

The "Certification of Green Power" scheme was launched in 2000 by JNEC to increase the use of renewable energy by corporations and other institutions. A corporation that wishes to use renewable energy concludes a contract with JNEC. Then, generation of the agreed upon amount of energy is commissioned to subcontracting wind power plants, actually generated, and then sold to regional power companies to supply to the normal power grid. The JNEC "Certificate of Green Power" issued to the client corporation or institution serves as proof that the renewable power was generated, and that the client corporation or institution indirectly used that energy.




Posted: 2003/02/04 03:31:59 PM
Japanese version