EDF Power Solutions, a subsidiary specialized in energy storage of Électricité de France (EDF) Group, has secured a contract to develop an electrical storage project using lithium-ion batteries in Japan. This project, originating from the second edition of the Long Term Decarbonation Auction (LTDA), involves installing a 110-megawatt (MW) battery with three hours of storage capacity near the city of Okayama, in the southern part of Japan’s main island, scheduled to be operational by 2029.
Strict daily operational requirements
According to the terms stipulated in the tender, EDF Power Solutions will have to complete a full charge-discharge cycle every day, supplying 110 MW continuously to the Japanese grid for three hours daily. The installation directly addresses the need for grid flexibility arising from the rapid increase of intermittent renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, in the Japanese electricity mix.
Japan is currently pursuing a target of carbon neutrality by 2050, requiring the development of new storage capacities to better manage variability in power production. Despite these developments, the country still relies heavily on fossil fuels to meet its current energy demands.
Strategic strengthening of EDF Power Solutions in Asia
This contract marks EDF Power Solutions’ first battery storage project in Japan, enabling the company to strengthen its position in Asian markets. With more than 15 years of experience in this specific sector, the company currently operates installations worldwide totalling more than 600 MW in capacity and has a further portfolio of approximately one gigawatt (GW) under development.
EDF Power Solutions primarily develops hybrid projects combining photovoltaic or wind infrastructures with battery storage solutions. The company operates notably in the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Africa, providing technical solutions to stabilise electrical grids and facilitate the integration of intermittent energy sources.
Patrick Charignon, Asia-Pacific Director of EDF Power Solutions, stated: “We are very proud to have won our first battery project in Japan. This success recognises the work of our teams and demonstrates EDF Power Solutions’ expertise in storage technologies, an essential tool to support the decarbonisation of electrical systems.”
