SBI Smart Energy and Nippon Chikudenchi began operating a high-voltage grid-scale battery storage fund on October 1, 2026, the companies announced on October 16 and 19, 2026.
According to the statements, the fund covers seven fully merchant assets across Japan, all of which are expected to begin commercial operation by the end of FY2026. The special purpose company (SPC) holding the projects secured non-recourse project finance from an undisclosed lender.
Nippon Chikudenchi has been in charge of development and will also handle operations and maintenance (O&M) of the facilities. RS Asset Advisors is responsible for asset management.
Japan Energy Hub’s database shows that the high-voltage grid-scale battery storage developer Nippon Chikudenchi disclosed 52 projects as of October 19, 2026, including 36 operational and 12 under construction.
SBI Smart Energy owned 54 operational solar power plants certified under the feed-in-tariff (FIT) scheme totaling 10.72MWAC as of the end of September 2026, METI data shows. The partnership with Nippon Chikudenchi is its first known investment in grid-scale storage. The SBI Holdings unit said it plans to expand its battery project portfolio, including through collaborations with local governments and regional banks.
The fund follows a similar arrangement between Nippon Chikudenchi and Remixpoint, which partnered in December 2025 to jointly invest in grid-scale battery storage through the SPC NC Pioneer.
