Publication date: August 4, 2026 Key Takeaways Japan’s BESS market continues to expand, but its policy environment is becoming more demanding, with new domestic battery manufacturing targets, tighter grid connection procedures, and lower Balancing Market price caps. As the market matures, project viability will depend less on exceptional balancing revenues and more on securing grid …
Publication date: Aug 3, 2026 Amended EBA allows METI oversight of Balancing and planned Mid-Long Term markets The amended Electricity Business Act (EBA) was officially passed by the House of Councilors on July 17th, 2026, and will come into effect in September. The amended EBA’s main provisions are as follows: The Act establishes a financing …
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Publication date: July 24, 2026 Balancing Market Price Caps Are Lowered to JPY 10/ΔkW-30 Min from September The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) presented a policy at the Power Supply Stability Working Group (WG) to lower the price caps for certain products in the balancing market. For Frequency Containment Reserve (FCR, or Primary), …
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Publication date: June 30, 2026 Japan Data Center Update 24: Operational Innovation and Efficiency Move Up Japan’s Data Center Agenda NTT Data to leverage data center UPS as flexibility for the balancing market NTT Data announced that it will provide power from uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems installed at its domestic data centers as flexibility …
Publication date: March 7, 2026 METI Moves to Tighten Oversight of Electricity Markets METI plans to expand its supervisory scope over electricity markets to enable it to ensure operational improvements in the Balancing Market and the planned Mid-Long Term Market,with the aim of promoting sound market operation, increasing participation, and stimulating market activity. The proposed …
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Publication date: Feb 7, 2026 Japan Modifies Proposed FY2026 Balancing-Market Reforms In October 2025, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) proposed a reduction in the balancing market price cap to JPY 7.21 starting from FY2026. This was met with widespread criticism from market participants, who claimed it could undermine market dynamics. Following discussions, …
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