Akasaka Heating & Cooling Supply Co., Ltd. (Akanetsu), a TBS Group company, has held a commissioning ceremony for its Hydrogen Heat Source Facility, marking the start of full-scale operations from May 2026.

The company supplies heating, cooling and electricity to multiple buildings in the Akasaka 5-chome district of Minato-ku, Tokyo. As part of its heat source facility renewal, Akanetsu introduced hydrogen utilisation equipment with safety-focused design, positioning green hydrogen as a next-generation energy option.

The facility is being described as the first commercial initiative of its kind in Tokyo in which a private heat supply operator accepts and stores green hydrogen, using it for both power generation and heat supply. The system uses pure hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity without emitting CO₂ during power generation, while hydrogen-co-fired boilers produce steam for thermal energy supply.

Ryujiro Abe, President & Chief Executive Officer of TBS Holdings, said: ""The full-scale operation of this green hydrogen facility represents a major step towards the decarbonization of urban infrastructure, and demonstrates the potential of a new social infrastructure from Akasaka.""

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike highlighted hydrogen’s role in ensuring stable energy supply while reducing emissions. She said: “Hydrogen is one way to address both stable energy supply and decarbonization... This hydrogen heat source facility is the first initiative to make full-scale use of green hydrogen in the very heart of Tokyo.”

During the ceremony, guests were shown the hydrogen storage alloy inside the hydrogen tanks, which enables safe low-pressure storage. A live broadcast also showcased the plant’s operation, including the generation of electricity and steam using green hydrogen.

Akanetsu said the hydrogen is transported regularly from Yamanashi Prefecture, and the project has received a grant from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. At a maximum hydrogen cofiring ratio of 50% by volume, each boiler is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by around 21% compared to using city gas alone.

Morimasa Takagi, Representative Director and President of Akanetsu, said: ""I am deeply moved to have reached this milestone. This initiative began several years ago, and we have faced many challenges along the way."