Telecom giant NTT Group’s energy subsidiary, NTT Anode Energy, has officially launched its energy storage business by commissioning 3 high-voltage grid-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in Japan. Together, these installations provide 15.3 megawatt-hours (MWh) of storage capacity. This development is key for Japan. It helps bring more renewable energy, like wind and solar, into the national grid.
Supporting Japan’s Renewable Energy Targets
Japan aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its electricity mix to 36–38% by 2030, up from around 20% in 2023. One of the key challenges in reaching this target is managing the intermittent nature of solar and wind power.
BESS technology solves this problem by storing extra electricity when demand is low. Then, it releases this energy when demand is high.
NTT Anode Energy‘s new storage systems help balance the national grid. They make it easier to integrate clean energy smoothly. Without energy storage, much of the generated renewable power could be wasted. These systems reduce that loss while enhancing the grid’s stability and reliability.
Turnkey Solutions for Rapid Deployment
A standout feature of NTT Anode Energy’s approach is its turnkey services model. This offering includes full-service support—from design and installation to integration and operations management. This makes it easier for customers, especially those without much technical knowledge, to adopt energy storage solutions.
Turnkey services are particularly appealing in a market where speed and efficiency are essential. Japan has urgent climate goals and rising electricity use. So, it’s important to cut the time and cost needed to set up storage systems. This model helps utilities and businesses adopt it more widely.
Embracing Innovation in Battery Technology
Lithium-ion batteries lead the market, but NTT is also looking into sodium-sulfur (NaS) batteries. These batteries work well in high temperatures. They also provide long-lasting storage and have high energy density. NaS technology works best for big projects where performance and safety matter most.
Japan is known for using sodium-sulfur batteries. Companies like NGK Insulators lead the way in this area. NaS batteries have many benefits compared to lithium-ion ones. They last longer, are safer from fire, and use fewer rare minerals. Their resilience in extreme weather, like earthquakes, makes them a good fit for the country’s geography and climate.
NTT Green Innovation Toward 2040
Japan has committed to cutting its greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. As NTT Group uses about 1% of the country’s total energy, it launched the “NTT Green Innovation toward 2040” plan in 2021 to support this national goal.
The plan outlines NTT’s aim to become carbon neutral by 2040. In 2023, the company expanded its targets to include Scope 3 emissions—those from its supply chain—and pledged to help customers reduce their emissions by working more closely with suppliers and partners.
A Competitive Market Fueled by Policy
Japan’s energy storage market is growing fast. This is due to government-backed efforts, like the 2025 decarbonization auction. This policy framework helps utilities and private companies invest in energy storage. In a recent round of this auction, HD Renewable Energy secured 300 MW of storage capacity, reflecting strong demand.
NTT Anode Energy enters the field at a strategic time. Its strong infrastructure, finances, and tech resources make it a key player in a growing market. Government support for energy storage is growing, and NTT’s abilities could help it gain a large market share.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Battery storage systems play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These systems help companies use solar and wind power more efficiently. So, they cut down the need for fossil fuel peaker plants that run during peak demand. This change reduces carbon dioxide emissions. It also helps Japan reach its carbon neutrality goals.
NTT’s use of sodium-sulfur batteries might lower the environmental harm from raw material extraction. NaS batteries differ from lithium-ion batteries. They don’t depend on critical minerals like cobalt and nickel.
Instead, they use more abundant and less harmful resources. Their long lifespan boosts sustainability. It cuts down the need for frequent replacements.
Energy Storage: A Market on the Rise
Japan installed about 190 MW of new energy storage capacity in 2022, doubling its 2021 total of 92 MW. Projections indicate that Japan’s cumulative storage capacity could reach over 29 gigawatts (GW) by 2033. This upward trend mirrors global patterns.
In a report by the IEA, demand for battery energy storage increased by 85% in 2024 compared to the prior year. Remarkably, energy storage growth exceeds electric vehicle sales.
According to BloombergNEF, global energy storage installations could hit up to 411 GW by 2030. And Asia Pacific will lead storage build on a megawatt basis by the same period.
The global energy storage market is forecasted to grow to $546.5 billion by 2035. NTT’s focus on high-voltage BESS places it at the forefront of this transition, both in Japan and internationally. As countries boost renewable power, the need for flexible technologies, like BESS, will keep rising.
What This Means for Investors and Industry Stakeholders
NTT Anode Energy’s launch signals two important trends. First, energy storage has become central to national and global clean energy strategies. Second, easy-to-implement solutions that are scalable will likely gain traction quickly. This is especially true when paired with policy incentives.
Investors should see that strong policy support, tech advances, and growing electricity demand are coming together. NTT’s model shows how companies can use their current infrastructure and tech skills to enter new clean energy markets.
The company’s move aligns with both national energy policies and global climate goals. As governments and companies focus more on storage infrastructure, NTT’s role could guide new market players. As Japan pushes forward with decarbonization, early movers like NTT could shape the market’s future direction.
