Sri Lanka is expected to begin connecting commercial-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to the national electricity grid in early September, with projects planned near 16 electricity transmission substations nearing completion.
According to the government, the battery systems were brought into the country through the Port of Colombo in three shipments during May and June.
Construction of a battery energy storage project being developed by a private company near the Anuradhapura transmission substation is around 85% complete.
The systems will store surplus electricity generated from solar power during the daytime and release it to the national grid at night when required.
Authorities expect the initiative to improve grid stability while reducing the amount of electricity generated using diesel-powered plants during nighttime hours.
Each battery energy storage project will be capable of supplying 10 MW of power to the national grid.
Control and management of the systems will be handled by National System Operator Ltd. (NSO), while maintenance will remain the responsibility of the respective companies operating the battery systems.
The government said the projects are aimed at maintaining a stable electricity supply with minimal environmental impact, with benefits from the initiative expected to eventually be passed on to electricity consumers.
Meanwhile, procurement is also underway to install battery energy storage systems near another 23 electricity transmission substations across the country. (Newswire)