Chinese BYD Energy Storage and the Saudi Electricity Company announced on 17 February the signing of “the world’s largest” grid-scale energy storage projects contract. The capacity is 12.5GWh, which means that, combined with the previously delivered 2.6GWh project, the total portfolio now amounts to 15.1GWh.
The projects are part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, including ambitions to achieve an energy mix of 50% renewables by 2030. The BESS equipment in the signed projects will be installed at five sites in the country. The energy storage systems will be fully integrated into Saudi Arabia’s power transmission network system.
BYD said the new BESS units will play a crucial role in addressing the challenges accumulated by the increasing number of renewable energy power generation systems, ensuring stable power supply, and meeting peak energy demand.
It will deliver its MC Cube-T ESS to the Saudis. The systems adopt BYD Energy Storage’s cell-to-system super-integrated technology, with a Vcts (proportion of cell volume to system volume) index exceeding 33%. MC Cube is equipped with LFP batteries, which are also used in BYD’s vehicles.
Financial details were not disclosed.
BYD emphasises efficiency factors in MC Cube technology. LCOE is reduced by over 30%, annual average availability is increased by 3% and battery lifetime is extended 100%. The operating range exceeds + 55°C, important in Saudi conditions.
The accumulated capacity of BESS equipment delivered from BYD to 350 projects in more than 110 countries and regions is more than 75GWh, it said.
