Press Releases 2016

On September 30, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Incorporated (TEPCO Holdings) made an investment in United Wind, Inc. (CEO: Russell Tencer, Corporate Office: New York State, USA), a venture company developing solutions business in the U.S. that reduces customers’ electricity expenses by utilizing small wind power generation facilities. The amount of investment is about US$ 0.5 million (approximately 50 million yen) which corresponds to about a 3% stake.

With respect to new trends in the global energy market such as expanding renewable energy and storage batteries, or integration of electricity and IT, TEPCO Holdings has been inviting venture capitalists outside of the company to establish a system to examine and implement investments in venture companies developing or possessing advanced technologies or services. This investment is the first project.

United Wind is the only company in the U.S. specializing in a solutions business that allows its customers to reduce electricity expenses by introducing small wind power generation facilities. It utilizes propriety software that analyzes wind conditions and is customer-focused by developing a new market. TEPCO Holdings will place personnel as well as invest in United Wind to acquire the technologies and knowhow, its venture spirit and culture and develop human resources with complete customer-oriented awareness.
TEPCO Holdings will also examine the possibility of future business development in Japan and overseas such as in Asian nations.

Through aggressive investments in venture companies with new business models or technologies having the potential to generate innovations in the electricity business, TEPCO Holdings will strive to gain and accumulate new knowledge to prepare for rapid changes in the market, and will take on the challenge in transforming the electricity business.