Saudi Arabia has solidified its position among the world’s top ten battery energy storage markets, marked by the commissioning of the 500 MW/2,000 MWh Bisha Battery Energy Storage System in the southwestern province of ‘Asir. This facility stands as one of the largest energy storage projects in the Middle East and Africa.
The Bisha BESS, owned by Saudi Electric Company , comprises 122 prefabricated storage units designed and supplied by China’s BYD. Each unit integrates a 6 MW power conversion system with four lithium iron phosphate battery modules, each boasting a capacity of 5.365 MWh. This modular design optimizes space utilization and enhances system integration.
In a strategic move to further bolster its energy storage capabilities, SEC has entered into agreements with BYD Energy Storage for additional projects totaling 12.5 GWh. Combined with the existing 2.6 GWh project, this collaboration amounts to a substantial 15.1 GWh of energy storage capacity.
Projections indicate that Saudi Arabia aims to operate 8 GWh of energy storage projects by 2025 and 22 GWh by 2026, positioning the nation as the third-largest global market for energy storage, following China and the United States. This ambitious expansion aligns with the National Renewable Energy Program’s objectives to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The rapid growth of Saudi Arabia’s energy storage sector is further underscored by market analyses. The country’s battery energy storage systems market generated revenue of USD 197.6 million in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 1.693 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 35.9% from 2024 to 2030.
This surge in energy storage capacity is complemented by Saudi Arabia’s strategic investments in the lithium supply chain, a critical component for battery production. Saudi Aramco, in partnership with state-owned mining company Ma’aden, plans to commence commercial lithium production by 2027. This initiative aims to meet the kingdom’s growing demand, projected to increase 20-fold between 2024 and 2030, driven by the production of approximately 500,000 electric vehicle batteries and the development of 110 gigawatts of renewable energy sources.
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