Why are Japanese companies investing in battery energy storage systems?

Sign up here. That is creating surging interest in battery energy storage systems (BESS) to smooth mismatches in supply and demand. Since December 2023, companies have announced investments of at least $2.6 billion in Japanese battery storage projects, according to calculations by Reuters.

Which companies aggregate home battery aggregation projects in Japan?

Home battery aggregation projects from Tokyo Electric Power Co, and Tokyo Gas, two major utility companies in the Japanese capital.

Does Tokyo Gas have a battery energy storage system?

Tokyo Gas is also participating in the Japanese utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) market, signing a 20-year tolling offtake deal with Australian developer Eku Energy for a forthcoming 30MW/120MWh project.

Why are battery storage systems being installed in Japan?

Several megawatt-hours of residential battery storage systems, typically paired with solar PV, are being installed in Japan on a monthly basis. This is largely due to concerns about losing power at home, given the seismic activity the country is frequently subject to, as well as extreme weather events like typhoons.

How big is Japan's battery storage capacity?

Rystad forecasts Japan's battery storage capacity could reach about 4 GW based on projects under construction, planned and awarded, which would require $6 billion in investment.

Why are Japan and Kyushu so attractive for battery projects?

"Tohoku and Kyushu regions have a lot of renewables, which makes these regions very attractive for battery projects, and that's why there is a lot of contracted and considered projects there already," said Uranulzii Batbayar, a Tokyo-based analyst with Rystad Energy.