Bahrain Energy Storage Equipment BESS

Besides providing storage, BESS enables capacity firming, energy arbitrage, frequency regulation, and other ancillary services that improve grid resilience and efficiency.

The BESS project is an addition to the 500 MW Abydos solar PV project under construction. Meanwhile, UAE's EWEC has recommended deploying 300 MW/300 MWh of BESS capacity within the next three years. While the demand for energy storage is growing, the technology has existed in other forms for years.

• Peak Shaving: BESS is instrumental in managing abrupt surges in energy usage, effectively minimizing demand charges by reducing peak energy consumption. • Load Shifting: BESS allows businesses to use stored energy during peak tariff periods, thus substantially reducing electricity costs.

As of 2024, the price range for residential BESS is typically between R9,500 and R19,000 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). However, the cost per kWh can be more economical for larger installations, benefitting from the economies of scale.

The Saudi Power Procurement Company aims to deploy 10 GW/40 GWh of standalone BESS capacity by 2030 through annual tenders of 2 GW/8 GWh starting in 2024. In the UAE, the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) issued a request for proposals for a 400 MW/400 MWh standalone BESS project in mid-2024.

BESS contributes to grid stability by absorbing excess power when production is high and dispatching it when demand is high. This feature enables BESS to significantly reduce the occurrence of power blackouts and ensure a more consistent electricity supply, particularly during extreme weather conditions. 3. Reduced Emissions and Peak Shaving