Chinese batteries and automotive manufacturer, BYD, has started operating its first energy storage project in the Polish market— a system that it was “actively invited” to supply.
The 1.26 megawatt / 2.52 megawatt-hour lithium-ion system, operated in partnership with Polish firm ML Systems, will be coupled with a 1MW solar PV power plant— also produced and sold by Shenzhen-based BYD— to enable peak shaving and to create a more balanced network.
The BESS was shipped to Poland last May 2018 and fits in with the government’s catchily-titled, “Energy Policy of Poland until 2030”. The policy states that the country will reduce the proportion of energy used derived from coal to 60%— down from the current level of 94%— with the difference being made up by new nuclear power plants, renewable energy, and natural gas.
Poland has been a magnet for battery and energy storage providers of late, with Capchem, Umicore, LG Chem, and Exide all either building or expanding facilities in the country.
According to BYD, Poland has an annual domestic generating capacity of around 350,000MW, but, due to rapid economic growth, expects to require an additional 1,000MW annually.
BYD director Guo Bin said the new BESS “will provide valuable lessons for power market reform and at the same time further consolidate our position in the Polish energy storage market”.
