Commercial battery energy storage systems construction nearing completion

Construction of commercial-scale battery energy storage systems planned at 16 power transmission substations across the country nears completion.

The battery systems arrived in Sri Lanka through the Colombo Port in three shipments during May and June.

Officials state that construction of a project near the Anuradhapura Substation stands approximately 85% complete.

The systems will store excess electricity generated by solar power plants during the day and supply it back to the national grid at night, depending on demand.

Officials say that the projects will help improve grid stability and reduce the amount of electricity generated by diesel power plants during nighttime hours.

Each project will feature a capacity of 10 megawatts. National System Operator Limited, operating under the Energy Ministry, will handle the control and management of the systems, while the respective companies will carry out maintenance.

Procurement also moves forward to install similar battery storage systems at a further 23 substations.

Stored electricity could begin supplying the national grid as early as the beginning of September, according to officials involved in the projects.