A new battery energy storage system (BESS) has begun commercial operation in Galle, giving Sri Lanka’s national grid fresh support as the country leans further into solar and wind power.
China-based PV inverter and energy storage supplier Sungrow has commissioned the 10 MW/40 MWh facility for WKV Hydro Technics. The system entered commercial operation on 10 September and is the largest utility-scale BESS operated by WKV in the country.
It is built on Sungrow’s PowerTitan 2.0 solution, which combines the battery system and the power conversion system in a single block. According to the report, this design contributed to a 50% reduction in grid-connection time.
The location presented its own test. The site lies approximately 500 metres from the sea, and the system has been designed to withstand that corrosive environment for at least 15 years.
On the grid, the BESS will provide peak shaving and frequency regulation. Demand on the national grid peaks at around 7 p.m., the period when such support matters most.
The timing is significant. Sri Lanka aims to generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and the need for this kind of support will grow as solar and wind capacity expands.