Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is preparing new regulations to prevent excessive grid connection applications for battery storage projects—a growing issue known as “virtual grid lock,” where numerous speculative applications effectively occupy available transmission capacity.

To address this, METI plans to introduce an upper limit on the number of grid connection applications that transmission and distribution operators must accept from storage developers. The aim is to discourage low-feasibility projects and ensure that grid capacity is allocated to developers with strong execution potential.

Under the planned rules, battery storage developers will be required to submit more concrete evidence of project readiness, including land-related documentation such as survey materials and property registration records. These stricter requirements are designed to prioritize developers with serious intent and viable project plans.

Details of the evaluation criteria and application limits will be refined in the coming months as METI continues discussions with utilities and industry stakeholders.