Singapore-based renewable energy developer Gurin Energy has an ambitious plan to invest 91 billion yen (S$851.7 million) to build a large energy storage facility in Japan. As per reports, the Singapore-based firm aims to tap into Japan’s demand for storage capacity which has risen due to the rapid shift to renewable energy.
“The facility will host power plants with a total output of 500 megawatts and a storage capacity of 2,000 megawatt-hours, which is enough to charge 50,000 electric vehicles,” said the firm. It is expected to begin its operations by early 2028. The storage facilities will be built on a 10-hectare to 15-hectare site which will be selected from shortlisted plots in Fukushima and Tochigi prefectures.
It may be noted that Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems and a Nippon Koei subsidiary will work together to acquire and design the batteries. The new project will have triple the storage capacity that is triple of the a facility opened by Toyota Tsusho in Hokkaido earlier this year, which currently includes Japan’s largest-scale storage battery system, power transmission, and substation facilities.
Supported by New Zealand infrastructure investment company Ingratil, Gurin Energy operates solar and wind power plants in several parts of Asia, such as Indonesia and South Korea.
The firm plans to grow a new business focusing on storing electricity extracted from renewables. They are also planning to establish a Japanese subsidiary as early as the first half of 2024 and considering building other facilities in Japan in the medium to long term.
As per Gurin Energy CEO Assaad Razzouk Japan as the country plans to add more solar, offshore and onshore wind facilities in upcoming years. “Battery storage can be used as a regulating system, charging and discharging depending on supply and demand to prevent wasting the energy,” he said.
He said, said: “Our mission is taking tangible action to move Asia to 100% renewable energy, and we are delighted to announce Gurīn Energy’s establishment in Japan. We’ve chosen to begin our Japanese journey by developing, building and operating the country’s largest battery energy storage system because we know we can contribute to the flexibility of the local, regional and national power grids. In addition, we are thrilled to be able to support Japan’s climate and renewable energy goals. We are ready to work with our partners Nippon Koei Energy Solutions and TMEIC, as well as with the wider industry, to deliver the energy solutions that Japan needs for a resilient and green future.”
