HINATAO ENERGY - Price, Area, Subscribe

Hinatao Energy is a fairly new company that supplies electricity and gas services for non-Japanese residents living in the Kanto area. “Hinatao Energy” makes it easier for non-Japanese residents in Japan to sign up for electricity and gas in English. The service offered is very similar to any regional electric company, but with the following additional benefits that make it ideal for foreigners moving to Japan!

• Hinatao Energy - Benefits
• Full-English support
• No cancellation fees
• No minimum contract period
• No sign-up fees
• Beneficial price plans (cheaper than TEPCO)

What is Hinatao Energy?

Hinatao Energy is an electricity and gas retailer in Japan that has been around since December 2019. Their main belief is that energy services should be simple, convenient, and hassle-free for foreigners arriving to Japan. The company was founded by Tokyo Gas, the largest natural gas utility corporation in Japan that was established in 1885. Hinatao Energy's operations are fully held under Tokyo Gas, making them a trustworthy option.

Since most energy suppliers don’t offer support to foreign residents in Japan, Hinatao Energy is one of the few energy retailers in Japan to help customers in English from the moment of sign-up all the way to after-sales support.

This article offers an overview of plans and fees offered by Hinatao Energy for customers to compare and imagine how much one can save if they switch their provider to Hinatao Energy.

Hinatao Energy Services

Hinatao Energy offers electricity, gas and solar service.

Hinatao Energy Service areas

Available Prefectures: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma. Hinatao Energy is available in the following cities, so make sure if your region is eligible for electricity.

*not available for customers using collectively received energy.

Residents living in any of the areas included above are eligible for Hinatao Energy services! Let’s have a look at their price plans and procedure to sign up.

Hinatao Energy Plans and Prices

Hinatao Electricity price plans

Before introducing the price plans, it is important to understand the two main components of the electricity bill in Japan:

Electricity Charge Calculation

Electricity charge in Japan is calculated as follows and includes a Renewable Energy Alloted Tax on top of the 1) Basic Fee and 2) Electric Power Amount Charge.

The Renewable Energy Allotted Tax is set every fiscal year by the government and it is a uniform charge among all electricity companies. On the other hand, 1) Basic Fee and 2) Electric Power Amount Charge differ depending on each company.

Electricity Charge Calculation Electricity Charge = Basic Charge + Electricity Power Amount Charge (+ Fuel Cost Adjustment Charge) + Renewable Energy Alloted Tax

Hinata Energy offers two different electricity plans: the Basic Plan and the Sustainable Plan. The two plans differ in terms of price and origin of the electricity provided.

Basic Plan:

The Basic plan is devised to save on electricity costs no matter what the consumer's monthly electricity usage is. The monthly fees will be cheaper when compared to TEPCO’s Meter-Rate Lighting B, regardless of how much electricity is used.

Comparison with TEPCO’s price plan

The rate of electricity is calculated in tiers, depending on the amount of electricity used. Customers can expect to save at all tiers just by switching to Hinatao Energy when compared to TEPCO’s Standard S.

Electricity pricing in Japan: the basic fees

In Japan, the electricity bill is composed of several fees (unit price x kWh) ± Fuel cost adjustment + Renewable Energy Generation Surcharge), including the “basic fee”, which must be paid regardless of your energy consumption. The prices below show how basic fees change for electricity based on the amperage of your contract, which may vary from 10A to 60A.

As it can be seen below, The Basic Fees are common in both TEPCO and Hinatao Energy but the Unit Prices of Hinatao Energy are cheaper. With the cheaper unit prices, customers can expect to have a cheaper overall bill with Hinatao Energy.

Sustainable Plan

This plan is for those who are concerned about the environment like everyone else, but want to take an extra step by using electricity with net zero CO2 emissions.

*This plan has the same rate as TEPCO’s Meter-Rate Lighting B (which is the basic plan for residential customers in the Kanto area), meaning one can get renewable energy at the same price as the rate as TEPCO’s classic plan, with a few exceptions. Those exceptions being: customers who receive the account transfer discount or those who use a small amount of electricity.

Zero CO2 Emission

CO2 is one of the main gasses responsible for global warming. Hinatao Energy is taking initiative by offering electricity that is generated from renewable sources with zero* CO2 emissions. The power source for Tokyo Gas has the following composition: LNG-fired: 79%, coal-fired: 4%, hydro: 1%, renewable energy (non-FIT, FIT): 3%, JEPX: 12%, other: 1%. Tokyo Gas obtains Power sources with zero CO2 emissions through the use of non-fossil fuel energy certificates designated for renewable energy. Although the sustainable plan offers the same gas as the Basic Plan, the certificate allows customers to 'offset' the emission through investing in renewable energy elsewhere, making their carbon footprint net zero for their gas usage.

Hinatao Energy can offer a Carbon Offset certificate at the same price one would pay at TEPCO, which means the individual or the organization can contribute to the greener initiative.

Hinatao Gas Price plans

Gas Charge Calculation

The Gas Charge is calculated by adding the Basic Charge and the Gas Consumption Charge. The tariffs are same as a general gas tariffs that Tokyo Gas offers.

Gas Charge Calculation Gas Charge = Basic Charge + Consumption Charge

Signing up: the merits/demerits and process

What merits does Hinatao Energy offer?

Apart from the affordable price, Hinatao Energy also offers the following merits:

Hiatao Energy - Merits

 Full English Support

Non-native customers who have attempted to sign an electricity/gas contract in Japan have probably struggled to communicate their needs in Japanese. However, Hinatao Energy gives support in English throughout the whole sign-up process and extends beyond the sales component to the after-sales support as well.

 Easy sign-up

On top of having a full in English service, there’s no need to contact your current supplier because that will be taken care of for you by our agents.

 Payment by Credit Card

No more hassle of having to take bills to the bank or convenience store to pay your energy bills. All payments will be made automatically by credit card for your convenience and safety.

 Save by signing up for Basic Plan

The basic plan allows one to save in all kWh stages, ranging from 800 yen/year for singles ( 30A, 2,000kWh per year ) to 6500 yen/year to couples and families (40A, average 400kWh/month).

Hinatao Energy - Demerits

On the other hand, there are also the following demerits:

 Payments through credit cards only

A credit card is needed to sign up, for customers who wish to use another payment method, this could be a demerit.

How to sign up?

Hinatao Energy reduced the number of steps necessary to sign-up for electricity, making the procedures simple and easy for consumers who are seeking to switch electricity providers or sign a new contract for a new house.

Steps up to your contract:

1. All areas where TEPCO operates have a Smart meter preemptively installed, so customers do not need to worry about taking action to install a new meter compatible to Hinatao Energy's operation.
2. Choosing a plan
3. Submit application
4. Receive Confirmation e-mail
5. Confirm Application Eligibility
6. Review Approval
7. Start Service

Contact Hinatao Energy

At Selectra we have a partnership with Hinatao Energy and can help customers who want to sign up to Hinatao energy. Get in touch with Hinatao Energy using the online form.

Conclusion

Hinatao Energy is a fairly new company that offers top-notch electricity and gas services to customers. The company provides an extra advantage to customers through helping with the sign-up process in English and not requiring the customer to contact one’s former energy provider. In terms of tariffs, Hinatao Energy gives clients the option to have cheaper fees than TEPCO (Basic Plan) or have the same fees as TEPCO but with an environmentally friendly plan (Sustainable Plan).