arrow-left
All Projects

Hirohara BESS

Powering 1/3 of Miyazaki City.

‍

Hirohara BESS is our first project in Japan. It will be operational in early 2027.

Project overview

Construction of Hirohara BESS started in September 2024 and the battery is expected to begin operating in early 2027. Once live the BESS will be capable of storing enough electricity to power approximately 63,000 households for four hours.

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.

As the global net zero transition accelerates, Japan has introduced its GX (green transformation) policy which provides a roadmap for economic growth and emissions reductions. Increasing renewable generation is a vital part of this roadmap and battery storage has a critical role to play in balancing electricity supply and demand.

‍

Watch the video of the beautiful ground breaking ceremony that took place in September 2024.

‍

Key Facts

Japan
Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
Storage capactiy -
30 MW / 120 MWh
Current status -
Construction
Since

Acknowledgement
of Country

Project timeline

Current Status
1. Development

The site is selected and we are engaging with the local community to introduce the project and gather feedback before lodging all required studies for Development Approval (DA) by local councils and regulatory bodies.

Current Status
2. Pre-Construction and Financial Close

Once the Development Approval (DA) is received, we negotiate contracts with suppliers and offtakers, and secure financing of the project  ahead of financial close.

Current Status
3. Construction

We mobilise to site for ground-breaking and start building the project.

Current Status
4. Operations

Now the BESS is ready to deliver additional storage capacity to the grid and is managed by a team to ensure it operates as intended.

Current Status
5. Decommissioning

After 20+ years of its intended operational life, the BESS is decommissioned and the site is restored.

Hirohara

FAQs

If you would like to find out more about what a battery energy storage system is and how they work click here

Project images

Ground breaking event
On September 24, 2024, we officially broke ground for construction of Hirohara BESS to commence. We were joined by our partners from Tokyo Gas and Tesla Energy in the traditional ceremony.
Construction
Construction is progressing with utmost care of health and safety requirements.
Commissioning
Finished site

Videos

Latest news
and media releases

Media release
Eku Energy Commits to Japan's Long-Term Energy Transition with Ground-Breaking Ceremony for Hirohara Battery Energy Storage System.
Japan
,
Miyazaki Prefecture
25/9/2024
Media release
Eku Energy announces first battery storage project in Japan.
Japan
,
Moyazaki Prefecture
24/4/2024

Request more

Hirohara BESS

information