Kuala lumpur: The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) developed by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is expected to commence operations by the end of 2026, the Dewan Rakyat was informed today. Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir announced that the pilot project, currently in its development phase, aims to support the grid system in Peninsular Malaysia and allow for a higher input of solar energy.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the government, through the Energy Commission, has initiated an open bidding exercise for the Malaysia Battery Energy Storage Technology (MyBEST) with a capacity of 400MW/1,600MWh for utility-level use of BESS. This was revealed during a question-and-answer session where Akmal Nasrullah responded to queries about the BESS project's status, environmental measures, and safety precautions.

Akmal Nasrullah highlighted that initiatives to ensure the environmental friendliness of battery technology include the implementation of an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) process. This process covers the dismantling, decommissioning, disposal, and recycling of battery installations in accordance with local legislation. Compliance with the Environmental Quality Act and the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 was emphasized, along with the implementation of an Environmental Management Plan for the BESS project.

In terms of safety, Akmal Nasrullah assured that the system would adhere to international standards like IEC 62619 and UL 9540. He also mentioned that BESS installations would meet the fire department's safety and compliance requirements, specifically referring to NFPA 855: Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems. This standard is crucial for reducing risks of fire and explosion associated with BESS installations.