Giant BYD prepares world's largest battery project in Saudi Arabia

BYD Energy Storage has officially signed a contract with Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to supply 12.5 GWh across five BESS projects, representing the largest grid-scale battery storage deployment in the world to date. When completed, the largest BESS project will have a capacity of 12.5 GWh of energy.

According to BYD's announcement, compact MC Cube-T ESS battery modules will be installed in 5 different locations in Saudi Arabia, which will incorporate their Blade series lithium iron phosphate batteries, also known from BYD's electric vehicles. The total storage capacity of this giant BESS will hold roughly four times the energy of the largest energy storage facility today, with a capacity of 2,287 GWh, located at Edwards & Sanborn in California.

The project supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to achieve a 50% share of renewable energy in the national energy mix by 2030. BYD's advanced intelligent control system can store energy during periods of low demand and release it at peak times, ensuring grid stability. BESS also offers high flexibility and scalability, allowing adjustments based on the current needs of the grid to adapt to the evolving energy landscape, providing robust support for Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals.

Extending cooperation

Saudi Electricity Company has already collaborated on a similar giant battery storage project with Chinese firm BYD Energy Storage, which has already completed and connected a 2.6 GWh BESS to the country's grid. Under the new collaboration, BYD intends to install a total of 5 giant MC Cube-T ESS batteries with a total capacity of 12.5 GWh by 2030.

As for BYD's battery solutions, the MC Cube-T ESS series is available in two variants. These are containers with dimensions of 6.06×2.44×2.90 metres and weighing 41-41.4 tonnes. The first variant can hold 5365 kWh, but can output a maximum of 1236 kW (under full power it lasts 4 hours 20 minutes). The next variant is power-oriented and so can hold a lower 4659 kWh but can deliver up to 2147 kW (i.e. for only 2 hours 10 minutes).

BYD has been involved in grid-scale energy storage for more than 17 years, starting with the first lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pilot system. The company says it has delivered 75 GWh of BESS equipment in 350 projects in more than 110 countries to date.

Based on its extensive experience, BYD has a sufficient production base to supply very large projects with a capacity of more than 15.1 GWh. The company offers customers excellence in manufacturing, quality control, delivery and after-sales support.

Although we do not offer ESS from BYD, we are the official distributor of highly reliable and high quality ESS from KSTAR. We offer the optimal solution for your home and commercial applications.