Project financing has been arranged by MUFG Bank representing the first battery storage project they have arranged finance for in Japan. Under the offtake agreement, Eku Energy will own the BESS while Tokyo Gas will own 100% of its operating rights for 20 years, with Eku Energy responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the facility.
In 2015, we started Japan's first demonstration project covering energy storage connected to the power grid in the Koshikishima, Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima. This project is still operating in a stable manner today. One feature of our grid energy storage system is that it utilizes reused batteries from EVs.
Japan’s grid-scale battery storage market has been relatively slow to take off, with relatively limited revenue opportunities that focus largely on ancillary services, with some capability of earning money through the JEPX power exchange spot market. There are also some subsidy schemes in place.
In related news, today, the Tokyo Metropolitan Municipal Government announced details of its own battery storage subsidy scheme, set to run from this year until 2030, with a budget of JPY13 billion (US$84 million) in total and open to entities with either head or branch offices registered in the nation’s capital.
Based on estimated population of Miyazaki City as of April 2024 (Source: Miyazaki City) The Hirohara Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is located in Oaza Hirohara, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture. The 30MW/120MWh battery is Eku’s first in Japan, and the company has agreed a 20-year offtake agreement for the project with Tokyo Gas.
It is Eku Energy’s first project in Japan to reach financial close and will be located in Miyazaki City, the capital of Miyazaki Prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu. The 30MW asset will be 4-hour duration (120MWh), and a 20-year offtake agreement is in place with Tokyo Gas.