Saudi Arabia Launches the Country’s Largest Energy Storage System

Saudi Arabia Officially Connects the Country’s Largest Energy Storage System to the Grid

The project in Bisha, located in the southwestern province of ‘Asir, is the world’s largest single-phase Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), with a capacity of 500 MW and 2,000 MWh.

Cutting-Edge Technology and Innovative Approach
The Bisha energy storage system is owned by Saudi Electric Company (SEC). It consists of 122 prefabricated units, designed and supplied by Chinese firm BYD. Each unit contains a 6 MW power conversion system and four lithium iron phosphate battery modules with a total capacity of 5.365 MWh. The modular design optimizes space usage, simplifies grid integration, and minimizes the risk of system failures.

Construction posed significant challenges due to harsh environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures and frequent sandstorms. The project was executed by a consortium of the State Grid Corporation of China and Saudi developer Alfanar Projects.

Part of Vision 2030 Strategy
As the world’s largest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia relies heavily on oil revenues, which account for 43% of its GDP and 75% of government income. However, the anticipated global decline in oil demand by 2030 has driven the need for economic diversification.

Vision 2030 is a modernization plan aimed at ensuring the country’s economic, social, and political stability. It is built on three key pillars:

A Vibrant Society: Goals include increasing Umrah pilgrimage visits from 8 million to 30 million annually, extending life expectancy from 74 to 80 years, promoting UNESCO heritage sites, and developing sports and cultural activities.
A Thriving Economy: Objectives involve boosting the private sector’s contribution to GDP to 65%, reducing unemployment to 7%, increasing female workforce participation to 30%, launching mega-projects like NEOM, and advancing renewable energy.
An Ambitious Nation: This pillar focuses on anti-corruption efforts, expanding volunteer participation to 1 million people annually, and enhancing public sector efficiency.
The Bisha project is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s broader plan to expand renewable energy infrastructure under Vision 2030. It supports the goal of increasing the share of renewables to 50% in the national energy mix. Energy storage plays a crucial role in this transition by enhancing grid flexibility and enabling the integration of variable energy sources such as solar and wind power.

Ongoing Energy Storage Projects
Saudi Arabia is also developing other large-scale energy storage projects. The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has announced a tender for four additional BESS systems, each with 500 MW of power and 2,000 MWh of capacity. Among the 33 prequalified bidders are Masdar, ACWA Power, EDF, and TotalEnergies. These projects will operate under 15-year contracts for energy storage services, further supporting the country’s energy transition.

Saudi Arabia as a Regional Leader in Clean Energy
Bisha is just one of many projects advancing Saudi Arabia’s ambitious clean energy goals. The country already operates other renewable energy facilities, including the Sakaka solar power plant (300 MW) and the Dumat Al Jandal wind farm (400 MW). Additionally, green hydrogen projects are underway as part of the NEOM initiative, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in the clean energy sector.

Source: pv-magazine.com