Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, has been chosen by Gurīn Energy to deliver a large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) for a major standalone project in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture. The system will provide over 1 gigawatt-hour (GWh) of storage capacity and support Japan’s efforts to increase renewable energy integration.
The project marks Gurīn Energy’s first energy storage venture in Japan and is set to deliver 240 megawatts (MW) of power over a four-hour duration. Construction is expected to commence in 2026.
Saft’s role includes supplying a fully integrated lithium-ion battery system, along with power conversion and management infrastructure from its technology partners. The system will also feature Saft’s AI-enabled I-Sight cloud platform for real-time monitoring and data analytics. Installation, commissioning, and maintenance will be handled directly by Saft.
The Fukushima project is designed to help stabilize Japan’s electricity grid by storing excess renewable energy and releasing it during periods of high demand. This is seen as a key step in Japan’s ambition to boost renewable energy’s share of its power generation mix to 40–50% by 2040—up from the current 27%—and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Vincent Le Quintrec, Saft’s Director for Energy Storage Systems, emphasized the strategic importance of the Asian market and Saft’s growing footprint in the region. Ushio Okuyama, Country Manager for Gurīn Energy Japan, described the project as “groundbreaking” and vital for enhancing grid flexibility across local and national levels.
The partnership highlights a shared commitment to accelerating Asia’s energy transition and enhancing Japan’s energy security and sustainability.
