French renewable energy company Neoen announced its first major battery storage investment in Japan during French President Emmanuel Macron's official visit to Tokyo on April 2, 2026. The announcement took place at the French Japanese Business Forum, marking a significant expansion for the company into the Japanese energy storage market.

Project Specifications and Location

The Ako Battery project will have a capacity of 100 MW and 400 MWh, positioning it as one of Japan's largest battery storage facilities. The battery system is designed as a 4-hour long duration battery that will actively support the Japanese electrical grid by enhancing stability and resilience.

The facility will be located in Hyogo Prefecture within the Kansai region of Japan. Neoen secured a grid connection agreement with the network operator, Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO), in January 2026, establishing the necessary infrastructure partnerships for the project.

Project Timeline and Development Partners

Construction of the Ako Battery is expected to launch in the coming months, with the facility scheduled to become operational in 2028. The notice to proceed is anticipated in the coming months following the announcement.

Neoen is collaborating with two key partners on this project: French company Equans and Japanese company Toho. This international partnership combines Neoen's battery storage expertise with local Japanese market knowledge and French engineering capabilities.

Neoen's Global Battery Storage Portfolio

Neoen operates as one of the world's leading renewable energy companies and positions storage as a key pillar of its expertise. The company maintains a global battery storage portfolio totaling 2.8 GW and 8.1 GWh across seven countries: Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and El Salvador.

The company's expansion into Japan represents entry into its 15th country of operation across three regions: Europe, the Americas, and Australia Pacific. The Australia Pacific region includes Australia, Japan, and New Zealand in Neoen's operational framework.

Neoen has maintained a prominent role in Australia's battery storage sector since 2017, when it delivered the Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia, described as the world's first big battery. The company currently holds Australia's largest portfolio of big batteries, totaling 2.3 GW and 7.2 GWh in operation or under construction.

Strategic Objectives in Japan

Neoen has established a Tokyo-based local team that is developing a significant pipeline of battery storage projects beyond the Ako Battery. The company stated its intention to become a major player in Japan's battery storage sector and serve as a long-term contributor to the resilience of Japan's electricity network.

Xavier Barbaro, Group CEO of Neoen, commented on the announcement: "As a pioneer in battery storage, Neoen is extremely proud to be announcing Ako Battery, our first investment in Japan and a major step in our expansion in the region. This achievement is impressive both in its scale and the speed of its delivery. Our team in Tokyo is fully dedicated to contributing our storage expertise to help strengthen Japan's energy security and accelerate its energy transition."

The announcement during President Macron's official visit underscores the strategic importance of Franco-Japanese energy cooperation and Neoen's role in advancing Japan's energy transition goals through large-scale battery storage infrastructure.

Discover Latest BESS Projects in Japan with Ease

Are you seeking reliable, up-to-date insights into upcoming BESS projects in Japan?

Explore the Global Project Tracking(GPT) platform by Blackridge Research, your go-to resource for the latest BESS projects and tenders across all stages:

• Upcoming Projects

• Tender Notices

• Contract Awards

• Projects Under Construction

• Completed Projects

Book a Free Demo today and see how the GPT platform can help you unlock opportunities and achieve your business goals.