text: Joint Venture with Kajima Europe Announced - Low Carbon Alliance
  Kajima Europe, the pan-European real estate investment and development company, has launched a renewable energy platform to develop solar and battery storage projects across the UK in a joint venture with specialist renewable energy developer and Net Zero consultancy Low Carbon Alliance Limited (LCA).
  The JV, Taiyo Power & Storage Limited ('Taiyo' – meaning 'sun' in Japanese), will initially develop a portfolio of ground mounted solar, solar and battery hybrid and stand-alone battery storage plants with a build-out value of £150m. These projects are already in early development stage in England, Scotland and Wales.
  LCA is a specialist consultancy supporting clients and partners in the identification and delivery of net zero strategies to decarbonize the grid and property sectors. LCA's specialist renewable energy development team will provide operational management services including site origination, land negotiation, grid consultancy, planning and project development.
  Taiyo marks Kajima's entry into the UK solar and battery storage market, which is set to grow significantly following the UK's legally binding commitment to Net Zero by 2050. The UK is set to double its solar capacity by 2030, according to a recent report by Solar Energy UK, whilst the battery storage market needs to grow fast. Battery storage deployment in the UK is currently c.1.3GW with National Grid suggesting 20GW is required by 2030. Energy storage is a vital piece of the puzzle, in delivering renewable energy through helping to create a more flexible and reliable grid system. Kajima and LCA also have a fully funded roof-top solar offer for the public and private sector that want to decarbonise their estates.
  Kajima is committed to pursuing sustainable investment and development opportunities across its portfolio, which includes a broad spectrum of real estate sectors. This deal closely follows the recent announcement of Kajima's move into the Polish Renewables market, with the acquisition of clean energy developer PAD RES, in partnership with Griffin Real Estate.
  Chris Gill, Projects & Investment Director at Kajima, said:
  "This is another hugely exciting step in Kajima's entry into the renewables sector, as we partner with experienced Net Zero specialists Low Carbon Alliance. We believe that moving into the solar and battery storage market is not only about making a long-term investment but also about taking responsibility and supporting the Green Industrial Revolution.
  Simon Crowe, Managing Director and Founder of Low Carbon Alliance, said:
  "As a company committed to supporting the real estate and energy sectors to significantly reduce carbon emissions, we are continually identifying new clients to work with. There has been a step change in sentiment to ESG and a real commitment to reduce carbon emissions since the global pandemic began, but much, more is needed if we are to achieve a global target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees.
  Kajima were advised by Addleshaw Goddard (Legal advisers) and Ernst & Young (financial advisers). Low Carbon Alliance were advised by Energy Law Unlimited LLP (Legal advisers).