Does Japan have a lithium-ion battery storage market?

Image: Solar Media. Developer Gurin Energy is so convinced of Japan’s energy storage market potential that it is planning a single project equivalent in scale to the country’s entire installed base of lithium-ion battery storage.

How big is Japan's battery storage market?

In the commercial space, Japan’s battery storage market was valued at USD 593.2 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 4.15 billion by 2030. While commercial installations currently dominate revenues, industrial adoption is expected to scale faster. Utility-scale storage is also gaining ground.

Why should Japan invest in storage batteries?

Energy Security: Storage batteries are key to stabilizing Japan’s energy system. Given Japan’s limited natural resources and dependence on imports, combined with its vulnerability to natural disasters, investing in reliable and sustainable energy solutions is critical.

How much battery power does Japan have?

As of March, Japan had 0.23 GW of grid-connected BESS, according to METI. By comparison, China has 75 GW and the U.S. has installed nearly 26 GW of battery storage capacity, according to the Energy Institute.

How much do Japanese companies spend on battery storage projects?

Since December 2023, companies have announced investments of at least $2.6 billion in Japanese battery storage projects, according to calculations by Reuters. That includes $677 million in spending by Japanese real estate firm Hulic (3003.T) announced in January and $1.3 billion by trading house Sumitomo (8053.T) last year.

Should you buy a battery storage system in Japan?

In addition, Japan’s capacity market is currently limited to battery storage systems lasting 3 hours, and the uncertainty of its overall revenue stack may make investors cautious about purchasing large-scale battery storage systems.