Energy
Tesla Energy to step back in South Korea in potential win for local rivals: report
Back in 2018, Tesla Energy announced that it intended to enter South Korea’s energy storage system (ESS) market. The move then was considered as a potential threat to local players such as Samsung and LG Chem, both of whom are also producing battery storage products. Since then, Tesla’s efforts have seen roadblocks, culminating in recent reports that the electric car maker is now scrapping its plans to enter the country’s ESS segment.
Citing industry sources, The Korea Times has published a report stating that Tesla is abandoning its plans to launch its energy products in South Korea due to delays in the certification processes for its offerings and the worsening market conditions incited by the pandemic. According to the publication, Tesla Energy has suspended its efforts to receive government certification for its ESS offerings, and it has also told its employees involved in battery storage that they were entitled to long-term leaves. With this in mind, it appears that Tesla Energy is looking to withdraw from South Korea, at least for now.
According to industry officials, Tesla Energy’s potential withdrawal from the energy storage system segment would likely benefit local players, which have largely been struggling with safety issues since 2017 due to a series of fires. With Tesla out of the way, local companies could be relieved of strong competition, especially one whose products like the Powerwall and Powerpack have seen stellar safety records so far.
“Though the ESS market is still in its early stages, ESS makers are fiercely competing with each other for the first-mover advantage in the sector. When Tesla announced its possible entry in the Korean ESS market, many expressed concerns that the entry would deal a blow to the local ESS ecosystem. However, the withdrawal could mitigate such competition risks and help local players to focus more on selling their products overseas, in countries that have bigger markets than here,” an industry official noted.
Since its announcement to enter the market, Tesla has been hard at work in attempting to pursue government certification for its energy products. To accomplish this goal, the company acquired a Korea Certification Mark (KC) Certification from the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), which was granted in early 2020. However, the company’s efforts were blocked by the Korea Battery Industry Association (KBIA), since there was no proper certification process for its offerings.
Quite ironically, part of this was due to the design of Tesla Energy’s products themselves. South Korean companies generally produce each component of their ESS products separately and assemble them at the installation locations. Tesla Energy’s batteries like the Powerwall and Powerpack, on the other hand, are all-in-one products comprised of cells and power conditioning systems. Details such as these ultimately caused Tesla Energy’s devices to fail the KBIA’s certification process.
While local players in South Korea may have avoided steep competition from Tesla for now, industry sources believe that companies like Samsung and LG Chem may find a far more competitive environment outside their home country. This is especially notable considering that Tesla Energy is finally ramping in the US and potentially abroad, and competition from Chinese firms such as BYD and CATL is also heating up.
Energy
Tesla Megapack Megafactory in Texas advances with major property sale
Stream Realty Partners announced the sale of Buildings 9 and 10 at the Empire West industrial park, which total 1,655,523 square feet.
Tesla’s planned Megapack factory in Brookshire, Texas has taken a significant step forward, as two massive industrial buildings fully leased to the company were sold to an institutional investor.
In a press release, Stream Realty Partners announced the sale of Buildings 9 and 10 at the Empire West industrial park, which total 1,655,523 square feet. The properties are 100% leased to Tesla under a long-term agreement and were acquired by BGO on behalf of an institutional investor.
The two facilities, located at 100 Empire Boulevard in Brookshire, Texas, will serve as Tesla’s new Megafactory dedicated to manufacturing Megapack battery systems.
According to local filings previously reported, Tesla plans to invest nearly $200 million into the site. The investment includes approximately $44 million in facility upgrades such as electrical, utility, and HVAC improvements, along with roughly $150 million in manufacturing equipment.
Building 9, spanning roughly 1 million square feet, will function as the primary manufacturing floor where Megapacks are assembled. Building 10, covering approximately 600,000 square feet, will be dedicated to warehousing and logistics operations, supporting storage and distribution of completed battery systems.
Waller County Commissioners have approved a 10-year tax abatement agreement with Tesla, offering up to a 60% property-tax reduction if the company meets hiring and investment targets. Tesla has committed to employing at least 375 people by the end of 2026, increasing to 1,500 by the end of 2028, as noted in an Austin County News Online report.
The Brookshire Megafactory will complement Tesla’s Lathrop Megafactory in California and expand U.S. production capacity for the utility-scale energy storage unit. Megapacks are designed to support grid stabilization and renewable-energy integration, a segment that has become one of Tesla’s fastest-growing businesses.
Energy
Tesla meets Giga New York’s Buffalo job target amid political pressures
Giga New York reported more than 3,460 statewide jobs at the end of 2025, meeting the benchmark tied to its dollar-a-year lease.
Tesla has surpassed its job commitments at Giga New York in Buffalo, easing pressure from lawmakers who threatened the company with fines, subsidy clawbacks, and dealership license revocations last year.
The company reported more than 3,460 statewide jobs at the end of 2025, meeting the benchmark tied to its dollar-a-year lease at the state-built facility.
As per an employment report reviewed by local media, Tesla employed 2,399 full-time workers at Gigafactory New York and 1,060 additional employees across the state at the end of 2025. Part-time roles pushed the total headcount of Tesla’s New York staff above the 3,460-job target.
The gains stemmed in part from a new Long Island service center, a Buffalo warehouse, and additional showrooms in White Plains and Staten Island. Tesla also said it has invested $350 million in supercomputing infrastructure at the site and has begun manufacturing solar panels.
Empire State Development CEO Hope Knight said the agency was “very happy” with Giga New York’s progress, as noted in a WXXI report. The current lease runs through 2029, and negotiations over updated terms have included potential adjustments to job requirements and future rent payments.
Some lawmakers remain skeptical, however. Assemblymember Pat Burke questioned whether the reported job figures have been fully verified. State Sen. Patricia Fahy has also continued to sponsor legislation that would revoke Tesla’s company-owned dealership licenses in New York. John Kaehny of Reinvent Albany has argued that the project has not delivered the manufacturing impact originally promised as well.
Knight, for her part, maintained that Empire State Development has been making the best of a difficult situation.
“(Empire State Development) has tried to make the best of a very difficult situation. There hasn’t been another use that has come forward that would replace this one, and so to the extent that we’re in this place, the fact that 2,000 families at (Giga New York) are being supported through the activity of this employer. It’s the best that we can have happen,” the CEO noted.
Energy
Tesla launches Cybertruck vehicle-to-grid program in Texas
The initiative was announced by the official Tesla Energy account on social media platform X.
Tesla has launched a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) program in Texas, allowing eligible Cybertruck owners to send energy back to the grid during high-demand events and receive compensation on their utility bills.
The initiative, dubbed Powershare Grid Support, was announced by the official Tesla Energy account on social media platform X.
Texas’ Cybertruck V2G program
In its post on X, Tesla Energy confirmed that vehicle-to-grid functionality is “coming soon,” starting with select Texas markets. Under the new Powershare Grid Support program, owners of the Cybertruck equipped with Powershare home backup hardware can opt in through the Tesla app and participate in short-notice grid stress events.
During these events, the Cybertruck automatically discharges excess energy back to the grid, supporting local utilities such as CenterPoint Energy and Oncor. In return, participants receive compensation in the form of bill credits. Tesla noted that the program is currently invitation-only as part of an early adopter rollout.
The launch builds on the Cybertruck’s existing Powershare capability, which allows the vehicle to provide up to 11.5 kW of power for home backup. Tesla added that the program is expected to expand to California next, with eligibility tied to utilities such as PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E.
Powershare Grid Support
To participate in Texas, Cybertruck owners must live in areas served by CenterPoint Energy or Oncor, have Powershare equipment installed, enroll in the Tesla Electric Drive plan, and opt in through the Tesla app. Once enrolled, vehicles would be able to contribute power during high-demand events, helping stabilize the grid.
Tesla noted that events may occur with little notice, so participants are encouraged to keep their Cybertrucks plugged in when at home and to manage their discharge limits based on personal needs. Compensation varies depending on the electricity plan, similar to how Powerwall owners in some regions have earned substantial credits by participating in Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs.
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