Japan’s Newest Tesla Megapack Project Goes Live in Hokkaido

Japan has flipped the switch on another major Tesla Megapack installation, with Manoa Energy confirming this week that the Helios 50MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Sapporo City, Hokkaido is now officially online.

Helios comes in at 50MW/104MWh, putting it among the larger standalone systems commissioned in the country this year. With a price tag of around US$30 million (C$42 million), it was developed through a three-way partnership between Manoa Energy, Brawn, and HD Renewable Energy Japan (HDJP), and is the first Extra High Voltage BESS from Manoa to reach commercial operation.

“Successful completion of our first standalone Extra High Voltage BESS asset emphasizes our commitment to sustainable infrastructure investment in Japan. Brawn will continue to develop our additional 1GW pipeline of Extra High Voltage and High Voltage assets throughout Japan, for commercial operations between 2026 and 2030,” said Brawn CEO Scott Reinhart.

Powered by Tesla Megapack 2XL

Construction on the project kicked off in April 2024, with team selecting Tesla’s Megapack 2XL—now a familiar choice globally for multi-hour grid-scale storage thanks to its compact design, faster deployment times, and ability to participate in a wide range of energy markets.

And that’s exactly what this site will do. Helios is a fully merchant project, meaning it will bid into Japan’s wholesale electricity market and also help support balancing and capacity services. With Japan leaning harder into renewables, especially in regions like Hokkaido, the need for flexible storage assets is growing fast.

A Growing Megapack Footprint Across Japan

Brawn has already acquired more than 300 renewable and storage assets across the Asia-Pacific region, and Japan is becoming one of its most important markets. The company is also working with Singapore-based DDSP to build out next-generation digital and decarbonized energy infrastructure for hyperscale and utility customers.

With Helios now online and another gigawatt of Extra High Voltage and High Voltage projects on the way, Japan’s Megapack presence is set to expand even further. The country is betting big on storage to stabilize its grid, and Tesla’s Megapack 2XL continues to be a go-to option for companies.

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