Overview
Project Helios is one of Japan’s early utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) developments. The project has been operating in Fukagawa, Hokkaido since December 2025. It was developed by Manoa Energy, Brawn Energy’s predecessor company, and later transferred to HDRE. Helios is an example that demonstrates Brawn Energy’s end-to-end development capabilities.
This project was acquired prior to the RTB (Ready-to-Build) stage and was developed through the following milestones:
- Securing construction permits and grid interconnection approval
- Executing the EPC services contract and procuring the full BESS system
- Project management, including delivery and installation of battery units, in coordination with the utility, nearby infrastructure projects, the local community, and key stakeholders
- Grid impact study and permitting for the private transmission line
Community engagement
Building relationships with local communities plays a key role in how we develop projects. At Helios, through dialogue with local residents, we responded to concerns raised during the development process by installing lighting at a nearby public bus stop.
Manoa Energy’s role
Beyond development, Brawn also served as the construction manager through commercial operations, coordinating with the utility, nearby infrastructure projects, and key stakeholders.
Milestones
| December 2022: | Project acquired |
| November 2023: | Technical design completed |
| January 2024: | EPC contract executed |
| April 2024: | Construction started |
| October 2024: | Foundation works scheduled for completion |
| March 2025: | 60% stake transferred |
| April 2025: | BESS delivery completed |
| June 2025: | Substation installed |
| July 2025: | Grid interconnection |
| December 2025: | Commercial operation date (COD) |
| December 2025: | Transition to operations phase |
