Saudi Arabia has secured a leading position among the world’s top 10 global markets in energy storage, coinciding with the launch of the Bisha Project, which has an impressive capacity of 2000 MWh and is one of the largest energy storage projects in the Middle East and Africa.
The National Renewable Energy Program, launched by the Ministry of Energy, seeks to achieve a storage capacity of up to 48 gigawatt-hours by 2030. So far, 26 gigawatt-hours of storage projects have been tendered, with development underway.
These projects contribute to the expansion of renewable energy, aligning with the targets of the national energy mix. By 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to produce 50 percent of electricity from renewables sources such as solar and wind energy.
According to the ranking by Wood Mackenzie consultancy, Saudi Arabia shines among emerging markets that are experiencing significant growth in energy storage projects, amid expectations of the new storage capacities to further cement the Kingdom’s position as a key player in the global energy storage market over the next decade.
Saudi Arabia plans to run 8 GWh of energy storage projects by 2025, and 22 GWh by 2026, positioning itself as the third largest global market in energy storage projects, after China and the United States.
The recently launched ‘Bisha’ battery energy storage project features 488 advanced battery containers with an impressive storage capacity of 500 MW for a duration of four hours. This pioneering project is the country’s largest project and marks a key step towards achieving Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of integrating more renewable energy.
The project facilitates battery charging during low-demand periods and discharging during peak times. This ensures backup power availability, enhancing the flexibility of electricity supply management, and promoting smart solutions to drive a sustainable energy future.
Saudi Arabia’s energy sector is witnessing a major transformation, reinforcing its position in the production and export of diverse energy types. By the end of 2024, the total capacity of renewable energy projects, spanning all stages of development, had increased to 44.1 GW.
Energy storage plays a crucial role in enhancing the reliability of electricity supply, thereby improving the National Grid’s capacity to deal with emergency situations and achieving strategic goals for the advancement of the Kingdom’s energy sector.
