A major Tesla-powered energy storage project has officially gone live in northern Japan, marking one of the country’s most significant grid battery deployments to date. Manoa Energy has begun commercial operations of its new 50 MW/104 MWh “Helios” Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Sapporo City, Hokkaido — a project equipped with Tesla’s flagship Megapack 2XL utility-grade batteries.
The installation, which reportedly cost around $50 million, was developed by Manoa Energy in partnership with Brawn and HD Renewable Energy Japan. Construction began in April 2024, and HOKKAIDENKO Corporation handled engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC). The system will operate as a 100% merchant asset, meaning it will participate directly in Japan’s wholesale, balancing, and capacity markets.
“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 Scott Reinhart, CEO of Brawn.
Tesla’s Megapack is the company’s flagship utility-scale energy storage solution. Built specifically for grid-scale applications, each Megapack can store large amounts of electricity and dispatch it when needed, helping stabilize demand and support renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Tesla previously partnered with Japan’s Global Engineering and Ene-Vision on another Megapack-powered battery installation in Hokkaido, highlighting the company’s growing role in Japan’s energy transition.
Dean Cooper, Head of Manoa Energy and COO of Brawn, added: “Japan’s energy storage sector is experiencing rapid acceleration, positioning Japan among the world’s most dynamic energy storage markets. Manoa Energy is excited to be part of Japan’s energy transition momentum, as the country emphasizes battery energy storage systems as a strategic priority for its critical energy infrastructure.”
Tesla’s energy storage technology has become a staple in grid-scale battery projects globally, especially in Australia, where Megapacks have been widely deployed across major BESS facilities. The company recently secured a $170 million Megapack order for what will become Australia’s largest wind farm, and Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI is set to use $375 million worth of Megapacks to power its Colossus II supercomputer in Memphis.
Tesla also unveiled its next-generation Megapack 3 earlier this fall, offering 5 MWh of usable AC energy per unit and a redesigned architecture aimed at faster installation, higher efficiency, and greater long-term reliability.
With the Helios BESS now online, Japan joins the growing list of markets leaning heavily on Tesla Megapacks to modernize their grids and support large-scale renewable expansion.
