On October 31, 2025, Erex, a Japanese company specialized in biomass energy generation and power trading, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Samsung C&T to collaborate on developing grid-scale energy storage projects in Japan. This partnership marks a turning point for both companies, as they have decided to create a 50:50 joint venture to develop and operate grid-connected energy storage facilities across Japan. The project aligns with Erex’s strategy to diversify its activities and enter the renewable energy asset aggregation market.
The partnership will leverage the complementary strengths of both companies: Erex will contribute its expertise in project development, operations management, and maintenance (O&M), while Samsung C&T, a subsidiary of the Samsung Group, will provide its expertise in procurement and financing. This cooperation will enable the deployment of large-scale energy storage installations in various regions of Japan.
Short-Term Projects and Planned Investments
The two companies have agreed to set a development target for 2026, with the first project expected to exceed 20 MW. Additionally, Samsung C&T is set to invest in Erex’s first grid-scale storage project currently under development in Kushima City, Miyazaki Prefecture. This project, with a capacity of 2 MW and 8 MWh of storage, marks Erex’s entry into the stand-alone energy storage sector, a field it has chosen to develop in response to the growing demand for storage solutions to support renewable energy.
Erex’s expansion into energy storage fits within the company’s broader strategy of diversifying its portfolio of renewable energy assets. For Samsung, this project strengthens its position in the energy storage market, where the conglomerate is already active through a 25 MW/50 MWh project in Chitose City, Hokkaido, being developed in partnership with Mitsubishi HC Capital Energy, Osaka Gas, and Mitsubishi Estate.
A Key Market for Energy Storage Expansion
Japan represents a strategic market for energy storage, with increasing demand for solutions to manage consumption peaks and integrate renewable energy. The cooperation between Erex and Samsung C&T comes as Japanese authorities intensify efforts to modernize the power grid and facilitate the integration of more renewable energy sources.
