Completion of Electric Station Tomi ai Marks a New Era for Energy Services in Kumamoto City

The Completion of Electric Station Tomi ai

On January 30, 2026, a collaborative venture between JR Kyushu and the Sumitomo Corporation Group officially completed the Electric Station Tomi ai in Kumamoto City, marking it as their second project in a series aimed at developing grid-scale battery storage systems. After wrapping up the construction, the facility will undergo adjustments to prepare for its full-scale operation, entering both the demand-supply adjustment and capacity markets.

Overview of Electric Station

Electric Station, established by JR Kyushu, Sumitomo Corporation, and Sumitomo Corporation Kyushu, leverages unused land along railway lines managed by JR Kyushu. This initiative utilizes JR Kyushu's maintenance expertise alongside Sumitomo's knowledge in battery storage to offer energy services focusing on stabilizing the energy supply and expanding the use of renewable energy. The Electric Station series began with the launch of its first project, Electric Station Kawashiri, in 2024, which operates in both demand-supply adjustment and capacity markets.

As Japan aims for a carbon-neutral status by 2050, stabilizing and modernizing the electricity grid is deemed essential, particularly in the Kyushu area where solar energy has become increasingly prevalent. This region often experiences generation exceeding demand on sunny days, leading to frequent output control measures. It is anticipated that by 2025, around 1 billion kWh of renewable energy, sufficient to power approximately 250,000 households, will be unutilized due to these output restrictions.

Electric Station is committed to addressing these challenges by ensuring a balanced supply-demand dynamic within the electrical grid, thus accelerating decarbonization efforts in Kyushu. The project aims to establish a regional energy service that prioritizes safety and security while contributing to the overall push for Green Transformation (GX).

About Electric Station Tomi ai

Electric Station Tomi ai, the second project in line, features a grid-scale battery system alongside a backup power solution for emergencies. Like its predecessor, it is designed to assist the decarbonization efforts in Kyushu and aims to enhance contributions to the local community.

Collaboration with Local Disaster Prevention Efforts

In accordance with a partnership agreement signed between JR Kyushu, Sumitomo Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation Kyushu, and Kumamoto City on February 7, 2024, the Electric Station Tomi ai will serve as a charging station for electric vehicles owned by the city during disasters, contributing to improved local disaster resilience. Furthermore, it is set to engage in environmental education initiatives to foster understanding of renewable energy among the younger generations.

Future Outlook

In addition to the ongoing Electric Station Kawashiri and Electric Station Tomi ai projects in Kumamoto Prefecture, there are plans for a new project in Nagasaki Prefecture that aims for a rated output exceeding 10MW. Moving forward, efforts will focus on expanding the scale of installations and optimizing the use of battery storage based on the evolving renewable energy adoption trends and power supply-demand dynamics in the Kyushu area.

Through continued close collaboration, the companies involved in the Electric Station project will leverage their individual strengths. Their united efforts will not only promote the growth of local battery projects but also advance the further utilization of renewable energy, thus contributing to solving regional issues and achieving a sustainable society through the Green Transformation initiative.