BYD to build ‘world’s largest’ 12.5GWh battery storage facility in Saudi Arabia

Chinese industrial giant BYD has struck a deal with Saudi Electricity Company to build the world’s largest battery energy storage facility in Saudi Arabia. The company plans to combine capacity at five sites with a total of 12.5 GWh, Globe Newswire reports.

Together with the previously implemented 2.6 GWh project, the total volume of cooperation is now estimated at 15.1 GWh. This new stage of cooperation is a turning point in the development of Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy industry and is in line with the Vision 2030 modernization initiative. Against the backdrop of climate change, it aims to achieve the use of 50% renewable energy by 2030.

The BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) will be supplied by BYD Energy Storage. The storage units will be equipped with MC Cube-T ESS modules using innovative CTS (Cell-to-System) technology. The new solutions will be integrated into the Saudi power grid and will play a key role in addressing the challenges associated with the growth of renewable energy supplies, which are not particularly stable. In addition, battery storage units help cope with peak loads.

Image source: BYD Energy

BYD delivered a pilot lithium iron phosphate (LFP) BESS system 17 years ago to evaluate its performance. To date, the company has deployed a total of over 75 GWh in over 110 countries and regions. The new landmark project is expected to redefine the value of electrochemical energy storage in the global energy market.

Demand for BESS is growing. For example, the Irish regulator has suggested that data centers engage in the independent construction of power plants and energy storage facilities amid an acute energy shortage in the Dublin area – so as not to lose their position as the leader of the data center market due to the lack of developed energy infrastructure amid demand for AI.