KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 — The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) developed by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is expected to start operating by the end of 2026, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the pilot project, currently in the development phase, was designed to support the Peninsular Malaysia grid.
He said the system would allow for a higher input of solar energy.
“The government, through the Energy Commission, has implemented 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,” he said during a question-and-answer session.
Akmal Nasrullah was responding to a question from Datuk Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli (BN-Jempol) on the BESS project, the government’s measures to ensure the technology remains environmentally friendly and prevents battery waste pollution, and the safety precautions in place.
Akmal Nasrullah said among the initiatives taken to ensure environmental friendliness and battery waste pollution prevention was the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) process to dismantle, decommission, dispose, and recycle battery installations in line with local legislation.
“It also includes compliance with the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, the implementation of an Environmental Management Plan for the BESS project, as well as the recycling of battery components according to the law,” he said.
Akmal Nasrullah said that in terms of safety, the government would make sure the system adheres to international standards such as IEC 62619 and UL 9540.
“BESS will also meet the fire department’s safety and compliance requirements for installation, namely, NFPA 855: Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems,” he said.
The NFPA 855 standard serves as the primary reference to lower the risk of fires and explosions associated with BESS installations.
