Saudi Arabia has integrated its largest battery energy storage system (BESS) into the grid, marking a significant milestone in the country’s renewable energy development.
The innovative facility boasts a staggering capacity of 500 MW/2000 MWh, positioning itself as the largest operational single-phase energy storage project worldwide.
This ambitious development, located in Bisha, the southwestern Saudi Arabian province of ‘Asir, incorporates 122 prefabricated storage units crafted by the Chinese company BYD. Each storage unit is equipped with a 6 MW power conversion system and features four lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery modules, providing robust power storage capabilities.
This systematic design enhances efficiency while addressing potential technical failures.
Engineered by Power China’s Hubei Engineering Co., the project overcame the challenges posed by the harsh desert climate, including extreme heat and sandstorms. Engineers developed advanced installation techniques and streamlined commissioning processes, greatly enhancing the system’s resilience.
The Bisha BESS is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader initiative to strengthen its renewable energy infrastructure. The kingdom’s long-term economic strategy “Vision 2030” aims to derive 50% of its energy from renewable sources. Energy storage is a vital component of this transition, providing grid flexibility and enabling the integration of intermittent power sources such as solar and wind.
The project is among several large-scale battery storage initiatives being developed in Saudi Arabia. In an ongoing procurement, the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) is tendering four 500 MW / 2,000 MWh BESS projects. The list of prequalified 33 bidders was released earlier in January, revealing Masdar, ACWA Power, EDF, and TotalEnergies as competitors for 15-year storage services agreements.
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The U.S. government's decision in April 2025 to impose stricter export controls on advanced semiconductors has delivered a significant blow to Nvidia, compelling the company to obtain licenses for sales of its H20 AI chips to China—one of its largest and most strategically important markets.
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Two staff members from the Israeli Embassy were killed in a shooting outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening, U.S. and Israeli officials confirmed.
The U.S. government's decision in April 2025 to impose stricter export controls on advanced semiconductors has delivered a significant blow to Nvidia, compelling the company to obtain licenses for sales of its H20 AI chips to China—one of its largest and most strategically important markets.
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has confirmed that at least 69,461 customers had personal and financial information stolen in a months-long data breach, which the company disclosed last week.
Even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C — the goal set by nearly 200 countries — rising seas will still pose a major threat to coastal communities for centuries, scientists say.
A new report from the International Energy Agency warns that most critical minerals for clean energy are now controlled by a few countries, especially China, risking supply disruptions and higher prices globally.
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