Sri Lanka has connected its first 10-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to the national electricity grid, former Energy Minister and NPP MP Kumara Jayakody said.
Jayakody said the system was connected through the Galle Grid Substation at midnight on Friday (11), describing the development as a milestone in Sri Lanka’s energy transition.
He said the project forms part of the government’s efforts to reduce electricity costs and strengthen the national grid as the country expands its renewable energy capacity.
According to Jayakody, another 150 MW under the same project is expected to be connected to the national grid within the next two months.
He said arrangements are also underway to add a further 250 MW of battery storage capacity early next year, followed by another 150 MW during the first half of the year.
If implemented as planned, these additions would take the announced battery storage capacity to 560 MW, including the initial 10 MW system.
Jayakody said the projects would be procured through transparent and competitive processes at what he described as reasonable prices, rather than through predetermined Feed-in Tariff (FIT) arrangements.
He said the government intends to ensure that the financial benefits generated through the projects are passed on to electricity consumers. (Newswire)