In a significant stride towards Japan's ambitious renewable energy targets, Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, has been chosen by leading Asian renewable energy developer Gurin Energy to supply a cutting-edge, fully integrated lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This monumental project, located in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture, marks Saft's inaugural venture into the Japanese market and is poised to play a crucial role in the nation's energy transition, providing over 1 GWh of storage capacity.
Japan is aggressively pursuing a cleaner energy future, aiming to achieve 40-50% renewables in its national power generation mix by 2040, a substantial increase from the current 27%. This initiative is a vital stepping stone towards the country's ultimate goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The integration of large-scale battery energy storage systems like the one being deployed by Gurin Energy and Saft is paramount to realizing these objectives. These systems are designed to store surplus electricity generated from intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind, and then discharge it when demand peaks or renewable generation is low.
The BESS to be delivered by Saft is a comprehensive solution, encompassing not only the advanced lithium-ion battery system but also power conversion and power management systems from its partners.
Gurin Energy’s stand-alone energy storage project in Soma City is projected to deliver over 240 megawatts (MW) of power for four hours, a testament to the system's robust capabilities. Construction on this transformative project is anticipated to commence in 2026, setting the stage for a new era of grid stability and renewable energy integration in Japan.
Vincent Le Quintrec, Saft Sales and Marketing Director for Energy Storage Systems, emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration. "Asia is a critical region for the sustained, long-term growth of Saft’s ESS business. We are very proud that Gurin Energy has selected Saft for this project in Japan, which is key for the country’s energy future."
Echoing this sentiment, Ushio Okuyama, Country Manager, Japan, Gurin Energy, highlighted the project's groundbreaking nature. "At Gurin Energy, we’re on a mission to accelerate the energy transition in Asia, and we do this by developing projects that strategically advance the renewable energy landscape in the region," Okuyama remarked. "Our project in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture is a groundbreaking project that will substantially contribute to the flexibility of the local, regional and national power grids. We are delighted to be partnering with Saft, a global expert in battery solutions, and we are more confident than ever of developing a project that will benefit Japan as a whole."
