en.Wedoany.com Reported - Japanese battery system company PowerX has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Montenegro's state-owned power utility EPCG, planning to deploy 500 MWh of grid-scale battery energy storage systems in Montenegro within three years and explore establishing local assembly capacity. Headquartered in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan, PowerX was founded in 2021 by President and CEO Masahiro Ito. Its business covers battery manufacturing, sales, and operation. It is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with investors including ITOCHU Corporation.
Montenegro is one of the few countries in the Western Balkans that has yet to install any grid-scale battery energy storage systems. EPCG, as the country's largest power producer, has identified battery energy storage as a key link for grid modernization and renewable energy integration. In its National Energy and Climate Plan adopted in December 2024, Montenegro set a target of at least 50% renewable energy share in final energy consumption by 2030.
According to the memorandum, the two parties will optimize deployment plans focusing on peak shaving, frequency regulation, and grid reliability support, and provide comprehensive after-sales service. PowerX stated it will evaluate the feasibility of establishing a local battery system assembly line. Company President Masahiro Ito said that battery energy storage systems are becoming the core of energy infrastructure, not only helping to increase the proportion of renewable energy access but also supporting grid stability and resilience; this collaboration is not just about deploying advanced energy storage solutions, but also about establishing a long-term foundation for PowerX to enter the Montenegrin and broader regional markets.
PowerX currently has 153 energy storage projects in Japan utilizing its technology, with a total capacity of 2.8 GWh. The company plans to increase its annual production capacity from the current 1.2 GWh to 7.5 GWh by 2030. Additionally, its business also involves scalable modular data centers and battery-buffered EV charging systems.
EPCG, for its part, is re-tendering for a single small pilot battery system, requiring a rated power of 100 to 130 kW and a storage capacity of 200 to 270 kWh, with the estimated procurement cost excluding VAT raised from €75,000 to €120,000. Two previous tenders for large battery systems were canceled due to failure to secure loans. EPCG also recently commissioned its first wind farm and operates hydropower plants, the country's only coal-fired power plant, and small photovoltaic units. The company's Board Chairman, Milutin Đukanović, stated at the Belgrade Energy Forum (BEF 2026) that without the strong development of battery systems, green energy beyond hydropower cannot fully realize its potential. Furthermore, EPCG is forming a joint venture with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) to jointly develop clean energy projects, including battery storage.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
