ITOCHU Corporation, Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Century Corporation have started construction of a utility-scale battery storage facility in Chikuzen-machi, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
The Japan battery storage project will have a rated output of 67 MW and a storage capacity of 230.1 MWh. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2027, with full operation planned for January 2028.
The companies said the facility is expected to support Japan’s carbon neutrality goals by helping stabilize the regional electricity grid as renewable energy capacity continues expanding across Kyushu.
The project is being developed through Chikuzenmachi Energy Storage LLC and will use lithium-ion batteries across a site area of approximately 26,000 square meters.
AI systems to support grid stability
The Japan battery storage project will participate in several electricity markets, including Japan’s Capacity Market, Wholesale Electricity Market, and Balancing Market.
ITOCHU said the facility will use AI-based battery operation technology to optimize energy storage and distribution depending on electricity demand and supply conditions.
According to the companies, the storage capacity is equivalent to the daily electricity consumption of around 20,000 households.
Renewable energy generation, particularly solar power, has expanded rapidly in Kyushu in recent years. That growth has increased pressure on grid stability because renewable power generation changes depending on weather and time of day.
The project is designed to help balance those fluctuations while supporting further renewable energy deployment across the region.
The development also reflects broader investment trends across the Japanese industrial sector, where companies are increasing spending on AI-driven infrastructure and low-carbon energy systems alongside wider Japan retail technology investment trends.
ITOCHU will oversee battery system sales, operation, maintenance, and AI-optimized energy management for the project.
Mitsubishi Estate is responsible for project management and business rights during development, while Tokyo Century will manage SPC and asset management operations.
The Japan battery storage project was also selected for Japan’s FY2025 subsidy program supporting renewable energy development and utility-scale battery storage systems under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The companies said the project forms part of wider efforts to strengthen regional resilience and support Japan’s transition toward a decarbonized economy.
