Malaysia’s utility firm Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has on Monday commissioned the 100 megawatt (MW) / 400 megawatt-hour (MWh) Santong Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the 132/33kV Santong BESS Main Intake Substation (PMU), Dungun, Terengganu, making it the first BESS in Malaysia connected to the grid.

The firm said in a statement that the facility is among TNB’s strategic initiatives to strengthen the capabilities of the national grid system, particularly in terms of controlled energy storage and discharge, to enhance electricity supply stability and reliability in line with the aspirations of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).

“Santong BESS plays a vital role in ensuring grid system stability through its fast-response capability in addressing supply and demand imbalances, including supporting peak load management and enabling greater solar energy integration through its grid-forming capability,” TNB President and Chief Executive Officer Ts. Shamsul Ahmad said.

According to him, the system also incorporates liquid-cooled technology and grid-forming capability, enabling renewable energy integration on a larger scale while providing rapid response to changes in system conditions.

He added that Santong BESS can function as an “energy bank”, storing electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as large-scale solar farms and hybrid hydro floating solar systems before discharging it back to the grid when required.

“Through this capability, Santong BESS is able to balance fluctuations in electricity supply and demand in real time, particularly during peak demand periods or system disturbances, thereby reducing pressure on the grid and enhancing electricity supply stability,

“The system is also capable of supporting electricity demand equivalent to approximately 40,000 households in the East Coast region, depending on prevailing consumption patterns,” he noted.

Shamsul further shared that the project was successfully completed within 309 days from project commencement to commercial operation, reflecting TNB’s capability to deliver energy infrastructure projects efficiently and swiftly.

According to TNB, the adoption of analytics and digital approaches in forecasting energy demand, optimizing supply distribution, and conducting real-time asset monitoring has strengthened grid operational efficiency, making the grid smarter, more flexible, and more resilient.

In line with the NETR, the development of the Santong BESS reflects the firm’s continued commitment to strengthening grid infrastructure to support wider renewable energy integration while enhancing the efficiency and resilience of the nation’s energy system, it added.

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