- The BESS resources would need a one-hour depth of storage and should be deployed to provide operating reserves and other grid services, improve system operability and enhance the overall stability of the electric network.
- Large-scale lithium-ion BESS deployments have been few and far between in the UAE, but the Middle Eastern nation has been relatively progressive in exploring alternative chemistries at scale.
The UAE should deploy 300MW/300MWh of battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity in the next three years, according to one of its principal utilities EWEC. The recommendation was made in the ‘Statement of Future Capacity Requirements 2023-2029: Summary Report’ by Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), the utility for the capital emirate of Abu Dhabi. It said the BESS resources would need a one-hour depth of storage and should be deployed to provide operating reserves and other grid services, improve system operability and enhance the overall stability of the electric network.
Also, the nation should increase its solar PV generation capacity sixfold by 2030, rising to 7.3 GW. The capacity addition is necessary because of a rise in power demand and growing supply chain insecurity following the COVID pandemic and war in Ukraine, EWEC said, and solar PV additions were identified as providing “a significant system cost and emissions reduction benefit”.
Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, said, “This report provides a powerful key reference that outlines Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s future needs. Our growing portfolio of renewable and clean energy projects is accelerating the decarbonisation of the country’s energy sector in line with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative whilst supporting the realisation of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Target 2035.”