Co-generation Systems to Operate at the Head Office and Nakaze Plant Reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has decided to install co-generation (combined heat and power generating) systems at its head office and Nakaze Plant in a move to reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. The co-generation systems will be installed at the Nakaze Plant on March 24, in the head office building in May, and in the headquarters plant in October, with operation beginning immediately after the installation is complete. Deploying the co-generation systems will cut energy consumption at these three sites by about 6% compared to fiscal 2003 (ended March 31, 2003), and enable a reduction of CO₂ emissions equaling about 10% of the total CO₂ discharged by the company in fiscal 2003.

A co-generation system employs gas or heavy oil as fuel to generate power, and also uses the exhaust heat produced in the process as the heat source for air conditioning and hot water supply, thus reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.

Yamaha Motor will install three diesel-powered generators (515 kW each) at the Nakaze Plant, one diesel-powered generator (800 kW) at the head office building, and two gas-powered generators (5,820 kW each) at the headquarters plant. The exhaust heat produced by these systems will help power air conditioning at the plants and offices and will also be used in coating processes and washers. The company plans to utilize the energy-saving services of an ESCO* to set up and operate the co-generation systems.

Yamaha Motor has set a target of 10% reduction in total CO₂ emissions by fiscal 2011, compared with the level in fiscal 1991 (106,000 tons). The company's total amount of CO₂ emissions in fiscal 2004 is estimated at 114,000 tons; the installation of the co-generation systems will contribute significantly to achieving the reduction target.

Decreasing the company's emission volume is part of a multi-faceted drive. Yamaha Motor is focused on living up to the "Keep It to a Minimum" slogan in its operations companywide, actively seeking not only to limit energy consumption in product manufacturing, but in product use as well. Based on the management philosophy "global fulfillment of corporate social responsibility," Yamaha Motor continues to give environmental preservation top priority in its corporate activities.

*An ESCO (Energy Service Company) is a business that provides comprehensive services designed to realize energy conservation without increasing environmental impact, and which guarantees the energy-saving effect.