Insights

Where our projects stand today, from early-stage origination through to construction-ready sites.

What does it take to move a renewable energy project from an early opportunity to a site ready for construction?

At HEKIKAI Energy, our development pipeline in Japan covers every stage of that journey. It begins with identifying promising locations and assessing their potential. From there, projects move through the work needed to make them viable and prepare them for delivery.

Projects at different stages face different questions. Early on, the focus is on understanding a site’s potential. As development progresses, the focus shifts to resolving practical requirements and building a clear path toward construction. That is why a pipeline is more than a list of projects: it shows how opportunities are being developed over time.

In this pipeline update, we’re sharing a view of where our Japan projects stand today, from early-stage origination through to construction-ready sites.

We are happy to introduce Tomokazu Tamaki, Senior Development Manager and EPLK Lead at HEKIKAI Energy.

Building Japan’s renewable energy future takes more than technical expertise. It takes local knowledge, strong relationships, and the ability to turn ambition into projects ready for construction.

At Hekikai Energy, we develop utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage projects that strengthen Japan’s energy security and grid resilience. Named after a historic Japanese region once known as “Japan’s Denmark,” we combine international expertise with deep local roots.

Our Senior Development Manager, Tomokazu, brings that approach to life. From identifying promising sites to securing permits and coordinating with stakeholders, he guides projects through Japan’s complex development process with care and clarity.

With a deep understanding of local regulations, Tomokazu connects international standards with Japanese practice. His work with landowners, municipalities, and grid operators helps build the trust needed to move projects forward and create lasting value for the communities we work alongside.

We’re proud to have Tomokazu on our team, helping turn our vision for a more resilient and sustainable energy future into reality.

What does it take to move a renewable energy project from an early opportunity to a site ready for construction?

At HEKIKAI Energy, our development pipeline in Japan covers every stage of that journey. It begins with identifying promising locations and assessing their potential. From there, projects move through the work needed to make them viable and prepare them for delivery.

Projects at different stages face different questions. Early on, the focus is on understanding a site’s potential. As development progresses, the focus shifts to resolving practical requirements and building a clear path toward construction. That is why a pipeline is more than a list of projects: it shows how opportunities are being developed over time.

Learn more about our pipeline here: https://lnkd.in/eRW-_Y-m

A BESS project does not end at commissioning. That is where its real value begins to be tested. As a development company focused on BESS projects, we design with the full life of the asset in mind - not just the point of energization. That means close attention to asset performance from the earliest design decisions: system architecture, equipment selection, and site conditions that will shape output and reliability for decades, not just years. It means genuine risk management - anticipating technical, regulatory, and market shifts before they become problems, and building resilience into every stage of a project's life. And it means a commitment to long-term value creation, where our decisions are measured not by short-term milestones but by the asset's durability and the partnership behind it.

At HEKIKAI Energy, we develop projects to perform well beyond commissioning - for the partners and owners who will operate them for years to come. It is steady, careful work, built on trust earned over time.

Japan's power grid is about to be tested like never before.

For the first time in two decades, national electricity demand is set to rise, driven by the AI data center boom and a resurgent semiconductor industry. Tokyo's answer: the 7th Strategic Energy Plan pushes renewables from a supporting role to the center of the system, targeting solar at 23-29% of the power mix by FY2040 (up from 9.8%) and wind at 4-8% (up from just 1.1%).

At the same time, the government has committed ¥210bn (US$1.34bn) to cover up to 50% of capex for companies running on fully decarbonized electricity - including the very data center operators driving this demand surge.

Battery storage tells the same story of ambition outpacing execution. Grid-scale BESS applications have exploded from 70 GW to over 170 GW in just eighteen months, yet by IEEFA's count only 28.7 GW has reached a signed connection contract, and as of the end of last year a mere 0.62 GW was actually on the grid.

That last gap is exactly where we operate. At HEKIKAI Energy, we pair international project development expertise with deep local roots to take renewable and storage projects from paper to grid connection - navigating Japan's regulatory landscape as partners, not outsiders.

Japan doesn't need more ambition. It needs projects that actually get built. That's what we're here to do.

Many developers approach the Japanese market expecting a single, national permitting process. In reality, few markets are as layered: notification to METI under the Electricity Business Act, where grid-scale storage is treated as a generation business, a fast-growing patchwork of local environmental ordinances now catching storage projects above certain site thresholds, forest- and agricultural-land conversion rules, prefectural and municipal consent, and a grid connection process where queue position and connection costs vary significantly by region — Kyushu and Hokkaido, in particular, carry their own well-known bottlenecks.

The technical box-ticking is only half the picture. Japan's approval culture also runs on nemawashi - the quiet, relationship-based groundwork of building consensus with local municipalities, landowners, and communities before an application is ever formally submitted. Developers who skip this step, or delegate it to teams without a genuine local presence, often find technically complete applications stall anyway.

This is where we have focused since day one: pairing international development standards with people on the ground who understand each prefecture's process, its regulators, and its communities. Permitting in Japan is not a bottleneck to route around. It is a relationship to build properly.

At HEKIKAI Energy, we believe that the energy transition is not only driven by technology. It is also driven by people with the vision, expertise, and determination to make change happen.

Meet Dario Tarquini, our Development Director, who plays a key role in transforming ambitious ideas into real-world energy solutions. With a strong background in developing innovative energy projects and a passion for accelerating the transition towards a more sustainable energy system, Dario works at the intersection of technology, strategy, and execution. His role is central to advancing our mission.

Beyond his technical expertise, Dario brings curiosity, leadership, and a strong commitment to building solutions that make a lasting impact. He represents the mindset we value at HEKIKAI Energy, combining deep knowledge with bold thinking to solve some of the biggest challenges in energy.

We are happy to have Dario as part of our journey, helping shape the future of energy.

At HEKIKAI Energy, our name carries a story.

Hekikai (碧海) meaning "azure sea" is also a real place: the historic district surrounding present-day Anjō in Aichi Prefecture. Generations ago, this region transformed challenging land into thriving farmland, earning a reputation across Japan as "Japan's Denmark." It reflects who we are: international expertise meeting deep local roots, working to unlock the potential of Japan's renewable energy future.

This philosophy shapes how we operate every day, guided by our core values of Trust, Entrepreneurship, and Balance, and grounded in a belief that energy infrastructure should be built to last.

As we continue developing BESS projects across Japan, we remain committed to combining global best practices with genuine local partnerships!

Did you visit our latest project pipeline page offering a clear overview of our ongoing BESS initiatives across Japan? 💡

From Hokkaido to Kyushu, each project reflects our commitment to supporting Japan's energy transition toward a more resilient and sustainable energy future. We believe that meaningful progress is built on trust, precision, and long-term partnership - values we hold at the core of every collaboration with our stakeholders, partners, and local communities.

Visit our pipeline page to learn more about our current and upcoming BESS projects throughout the country: https://lnkd.in/eRW-_Y-m

Meet our People: Kazufumi Takahashi, Chief Development Officer at HEKIKAI Energy.

Behind every renewable energy project is someone who turns ambition into reality on the ground. For us in Japan, that is Kazufumi, our Chief Development Officer. He leads the development of our renewable energy projects across Japan - from identifying the right opportunities to building the local partnerships that make clean energy happen. With over 15 years of experience in renewable energy development, Kazufumi brings the kind of local insight and global perspective that a market like Japan demands.

We asked him what drew him to the role:

"Japan has set ambitious renewable energy targets. My goal is to turn that vision into projects that deliver real value to the communities they're built in, and there is never a better moment to be doing it."

As a newcomer to the Japanese market, we know that trust is earned, not assumed. That is exactly why we have built our team around experts who understand the local landscape and share our commitment to accelerating the transition to clean energy. This is just the beginning of our journey in Japan, and we are proud to have Kazufumi helping lead the way.

We are looking for a Technical Procurement Manager to join us in Tokyo.

This is a role for someone who's comfortable on both sides of the table - the technical detail and the commercial reality. You will own the contracts behind our renewable energy projects: leading OEM, EPC and BOP negotiations, building out our sourcing strategy, and managing commercial risk across BESS, solar, and wind builds.

In practice, that means working closely with our Legal and Project Management teams on complex negotiations, running procurement packages from RFT through to contract award, and keeping a sharp eye on risk and budget along the way. You will also be building real relationships with suppliers across Japan's renewable energy market.

We are after someone with 5–10 years in renewable energy procurement here in Japan, who knows their way around OEM and EPC/BOP contracts, and who has hands-on experience with BESS and/or solar (wind is a bonus). Solid electrical engineering knowledge and commercial instincts matter, and you'll need to be fully fluent in both English and Japanese.

If this sounds like your kind of challenge, take a look and apply here: https://lnkd.in/equNDFnP

At HEKIKAI Energy, we enter the Japanese market with one core belief: energy infrastructure should be built to last. Japan's renewable energy transition demands more than ambition. It requires tailored solutions, grounded in deep local understanding and backed by proven international standards.

Through close collaboration with local partners, authorities, and stakeholders, we are building the trust and track record needed to deliver infrastructure that supports Japan's energy security and decarbonization goals - not just today, but over decades.

Our approach is disciplined, long-term, and rooted in respect for the complexity of the Japanese market. Do you want to be a part of this journey? https://lnkd.in/dQ4wwfNE

Grid conditions, regional characteristics, and local regulations play a key role in shaping reliable renewable energy projects. At the core of our work is a strong belief in local solutions. By deeply understanding community needs and market dynamics, we develop technically robust approaches that meet the international standards for safety, reliability, and performance.

With our local team, we work closely with local stakeholders to support Japan’s next generation of energy infrastructure. We believe that energy infrastructure should be built to last, grounded in local insight, and supported by global experience.

At HEKIKAI Energy, our vision is long-term. As a new developer within the Japanese market, we are committed to building strong local partnerships and delivering sustainable energy solutions that create real impact for our planet.

Are you looking for a sustainable partner? Learn more about us here: https://lnkd.in/e5Rhrfa5

Japan represents a compelling opportunity for long-term renewable energy development. At HEKIKAI Energy, we aim to support the country’s energy transition through disciplined project development, strong local partnerships, and a clear long-term perspective.

While we are a newly established company, our team brings extensive experience from developing, financing, and delivering renewable energy projects across multiple markets. This background allows us to combine proven international practices with a dedicated focus on the specific dynamics of the Japanese market, including regulatory frameworks, grid integration, stakeholder engagement, and regional development priorities.

Our ambition is to build a high-quality portfolio of renewable energy assets that contributes to energy security, decarbonization, and sustainable economic growth. We believe that successful development in Japan requires patience, responsible execution, and close collaboration with local communities, authorities, and industry partners.

By prioritizing long-term value creation and disciplined growth, we aim to act as a trusted partner in Japan’s evolving energy landscape.

At HEKIKAI Energy, strong partnerships are key to successful project development in Japan. We value working with partners who bring local insight, long-term commitment, and a shared ambition to move projects forward in a structured and collaborative way.

We look for partners that prioritize trust, clear communication, and quality throughout the development process - from early-stage opportunities to execution. Together, these foundations help create sustainable, bankable energy projects.

If you share this mindset and are interested in collaborating, we would be happy to connect. Learn more: www.hekikaienergy.com

Japan is one of the world’s most promising, yet complex, renewable energy markets. On one hand, investments are accelerating, and the market is expected to grow significantly over the coming decade. On the other hand, development is shaped by structural challenges such as limited grid capacity, lengthy permitting processes, and scarcity of suitable project sites.

Solar power has been the main driver so far and continues to represent the largest share, while offshore wind is widely seen as the next major growth opportunity. At the same time, developers are navigating rising costs, evolving regulatory frameworks, and the need for substantial grid expansion.

We are, as a renewable development company, thus dependent on more than technology - it requires local insight, strong partnerships, and a deep understanding of market dynamics to succeed.

At HEKIKAI Energy, we closely follow these developments. As part of TEAL, we focus on navigating this landscape and identifying opportunities in a market where the potential is significant, but execution is key.

Japan is not just a growth market - it is a market that demands strategy, patience, and local expertise 💡

We are currently strengthening our presence in Japan and are pleased to share two exciting career opportunities:

Senior Environment Permitting & Land Manager – Japan
This role will be instrumental in leading environmental permitting processes and managing land-related matters across our Japanese portfolio. We are seeking an experienced professional with strong knowledge of local regulatory frameworks and proven stakeholder management capabilities.
Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eSvn8_tB

Origination Manager – Japan
As Origination Manager, you will play a key role in identifying, evaluating, and advancing new project opportunities in the Japanese market. The position requires strong commercial acumen, market insight, and the ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships.
Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eH3MYafv

If you are motivated by contributing to impactful projects in Japan and wish to be part of a professional and ambitious organization, we encourage you to explore these opportunities.

📢 We are live! HEKIKAI Energy, a development company within TEAL focused on the Japanese market, is now officially online. Our website marks the next step in our mission to support Japan’s energy transition through sustainable, long-term renewable energy projects.

With deep respect for Japan’s technological excellence, long-term vision, and dedication to future generations, HEKIKAI Energy blends local market insight with international expertise. We are committed to building reliable projects guided by trust, responsibility, and collaboration, creating lasting value for communities, society, and the environment.

Seasonal greetings from all of us 💚

This year marked the establishment of our company, and we are grateful for the interest, support, and positive reception we have experienced so far. Thank you!

We look forward to what the coming year will bring and to continuing the journey with new opportunities, collaborations, and shared ambitions for a greener future ✨

We are proud to launch HEKIKAI Energy, a development company within TEAL, with a dedicated focus on the Japanese market. Our purpose is to support Japan’s energy transition by developing sustainable, long-term renewable energy projects.

Rooted in deep respect for Japan’s technological excellence, long-term vision, and commitment to future generations, HEKIKAI Energy combines local market insight with international expertise. Guided by trust, responsibility, and collaboration, we develop reliable projects that create lasting value for communities, society, and the environment.

Stay tuned 💡