JERA Invests in 44.01 to Explore New CO₂ Storage Solutions2026/11/04
JERA Co., Inc. (“JERA”), a global energy company and Japan’s largest power generation company, today announced that through its corporate venture capital arm JERA Ventures, it has invested in 44.01, a company developing CO₂ mineralization technology for permanent CO₂ storage.
The investment marks 44.01’s first backing from the power sector. Through this investment, JERA and 44.01 will combine JERA’s understanding of decarbonization needs with 44.01’s technological expertise to explore potential applications of CO₂ mineralization technology in the power generation, as well as broader business opportunities in Japan and overseas.
44.01 is developing in-situ mineralization technology that permanently stores captured CO₂ by injecting it into underground reactive rock formations, where it reacts with the rock to form stable carbonate minerals. 44.01 is scaling its operations in the Middle East, developing projects in Europe and exploring a pipeline of opportunities in other markets.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is expected to play an important role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors. Conventional storage typically relies on geological formations such as deep saline aquifers and depleted oil and gas reservoirs. However, these suitable formations are not evenly distributed, and in some cases captured CO₂ must be transported long distances to reach suitable storage sites.
44.01’s capabilities span site identification and development to operations and monitoring. Its technology could broaden the options for permanent CO₂ storage and, where suitable storage sites are located near industrial emitters, help reduce transportation distances and associated costs.
Takeshi Kodama, Head of JERA Ventures and Managing Partner, said:
“As the power sector works toward decarbonization, we see significant value in exploring new approaches to permanent CO₂ storage. Our investment in 44.01 offers an interesting opportunity to deepen our understanding of an emerging technology that could broaden the range of decarbonization solutions available to the energy industry.”
As a global energy company committed to its mission of providing cutting-edge solutions to the world’s energy issues, JERA is working to provide a cleaner energy supply platform that combines renewable energy and lower-carbon thermal power generation. Through JERA Ventures, JERA will continue to work with startups developing cutting-edge technologies and innovative business models to create new energy solutions.
About JERA
JERA is a global energy leader and Japan’s largest power generation company focused on providing cutting-edge solutions to the world's energy issues. Established in 2015, the company produces one-third of Japan’s electricity and is one of the largest LNG buyers in the world. JERA has global reach and strength throughout the energy supply chain, including participation in upstream gas exploration and production, LNG projects, fuel procurement and transportation, and power generation globally.
In support of a responsible energy transition, JERA aims to achieve net-zero CO₂ emissions from its domestic and overseas businesses by 2050.
About JERA Ventures
JERA Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of the JERA Group, with a strategic investment capacity of USD 300 million.
In addition to investing in startups with cutting-edge technologies and innovative business concepts, JERA Ventures actively collaborates with a broad range of stakeholders across industry, government, and academia that form the startup ecosystem. Through these activities, JERA Ventures aims to drive open innovations in the energy sector.
