The 2 GWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) features 122 prefabricated storage units designed and supplied by China’s BYD.
By ESS news
Saudi Arabia has officially connected its largest battery energy storage system (BESS) to the grid, marking a major milestone in the country’s renewable energy expansion. The project proponents describe the 500 MW/2000 MWh BESS development in Bisha, in the southwestern Saudi Arabian province of ‘Asir, as the world’s largest operational single-phase energy storage project.
The Bisha battery storage facility features 122 prefabricated storage units, designed and supplied by China’s BYD. Each unit integrates a 6 MW power conversion system (PCS) alongside four lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery modules, each with a capacity of 5,365 MWh. This modular approach is described as a way to optimize space use, improve system integration and minimize potential failure points.
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The project was designed by Power China Hubei Engineering Co., a subsidiary of Power China, which was instrumental in its construction. Deploying the facility in the harsh desert environment presented significant challenges, including extreme temperatures and frequent sandstorms. Engineers have overcome these conditions by refining installation methods and optimizing commissioning processes to ensure long-term reliability.
The Bisha BESS is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader initiative to strengthen its renewable energy infrastructure. This development is in line with Vision 2030, the kingdom’s long-term economic strategy, which aims to obtain 50% of its energy from renewable sources. Energy storage is an essential part of this transition, as it provides grid flexibility and enables the integration of intermittent energy sources such as solar and wind energy.
The project is part of a number of large-scale battery storage initiatives being developed in Saudi Arabia. In an ongoing tender, the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has tendered four BESS projects of 500 MW / 2,000 MWh. The list of 33 bidders prequalified was released earlier in January, unveiling Masdar, ACWA Power, EDF and TotalEnergies as competitors for 15-year storage services agreements.
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