Austrian battery energy storage system (BESS) optimisation provider enspired has announced its entry into the Japanese market, marking its first expansion outside Europe. This strategic move is being carried out in partnership with Banpu NEXT, a subsidiary of Thailand-based Banpu Public Company Limited, which is already active in large-scale BESS development in Japan.
The announcement comes as enspired has extended its Series B funding round to over €40mn ($42.4mn), up from €25.5mn initially raised in 2024. Banpu NEXT, an investor in the round, has been identified as a key partner in enspired’s Asia strategy. The Austrian company aims to bring to the Japanese market its artificial intelligence-based optimisation models, covering a range of risk profiles including tolling agreements, fully merchant operations, and floor contracts with or without caps.
Banpu NEXT expands storage projects across the archipelago
Banpu NEXT recently commissioned its first grid-scale energy storage facility in Japan, the Tono Power Storage Station, with a capacity of 14.5MW/58MWh, located in Iwate Prefecture. Two additional 26MW/104MWh projects are under development in Fukushima and Miyazaki Prefectures. The company plans to expand its Japanese storage portfolio to over 1GWh by 2030.
Integrating commercial optimisation into these assets could offer Banpu greater value on Japanese power markets, where demand for grid flexibility is rising as renewable generation increases. “We are confident that this partnership will strengthen our BESS portfolio and energy trading business,” said Banpu NEXT Chief Executive Officer Smittipon Srethapramote.
European operators target Japan’s growing storage market
With around 1.2GW/2GWh of BESS capacity under contract in Europe, including over 400MW in operation, enspired joins other European optimisation players such as GridBeyond, Engelhart Commodities Trading Partners (CTP) and Second Foundation in exploring opportunities in Japan. The company is leveraging expertise developed in mature energy markets to enter a rapidly evolving Japanese ecosystem.
Japan, facing ambitious decarbonisation targets and increasing variability in its power supply, presents favourable conditions for battery optimisation services. Operators capable of maximising system revenues within an evolving regulatory framework are in growing demand.
