Japan’s largest telecom provider, Softbank, has begun a joint venture with Californian fuel cell company Bloom Energy to provide off-grid power in Japan.
Each company will invest one billion yen in the business and hold a 50% stake in the venture to provide fuel cells to businesses that are seeking power supply options in case of a natural disaster.
Corporate clients can enter into long-term contracts for a fuel cell system to provide 200kW of power, including gas supply and maintenance. The start up cost will be distributed over the contract to eliminate initial high expenses.
Fuel cells in Japan are gaining popularity as electricity prices are rising. The Fukushima nuclear disaster highlighted Japan’s dependence upon nuclear power and led private companies, hospitals and other public facilities to consider a broader range of power supply options.
