Six battery storage systems arrive to support national power grid

Colombo, May 30 (Daily Mirror) - The first shipment of commercial-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) arrived at the Port of Colombo today.

The shipment consists of six battery storage units and is part of a larger programme to introduce 16 such systems with a combined capacity of 160 megawatts (MW) to the national electricity network. 

In July 2025, the government called for international competitive tenders for 16 Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with a capacity of 160MW, and those projects were awarded to 3 selected institutions. Accordingly, 6 battery systems imported by Windforce PLC relative to this project were brought to the Colombo Port early this morning.

According to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, the six units will be installed near major transmission substations in Mahawa, Vavuniya, Chunnakam, Kilinochchi, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

The battery systems are designed to store excess electricity generated during daytime hours, particularly from solar power plants, and release that energy during periods of peak demand at night. Each unit can store up to 40 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity and supply 10 MW to the grid when required. Together, the six systems will provide 60 MW of dispatchable power during high-demand periods.

This is the first time Sri Lanka is introducing grid-scale battery storage technology to support the national electricity network. The systems will be operated and managed by National System Operator Ltd. (NSO) under the Ministry of Energy, while maintenance responsibilities will remain with the respective manufacturers and contractors.