Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Deploying Battery Energy Storage Systems to strengthen grids and enable them to rapidly adopt high levels of least-cost, variable renewable energy
Deploying Battery Energy Storage Systems
The future renewable energy mix will primarily derive from variable sources like solar and wind—except the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow.
Through the BESS Consortium, GEAPP aims to enable 500MW by 2025 through a mix of direct GEAPP high-risk capital and other concessional and commercial funding. By doing this we can reframe battery storage as a pathway to a reliable, renewable energy future and seed this $100 billion market.
BESS Projects
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IndiaThe Consortium has supported the successful commissioning and launch of the 20 MW BESS pilot project in India. Additionally, Consortium members are supporting the development of first-of-its-kind merchant BESS business models in India. In high RE states, the first long duration energy storage (LDES) pilot for LMICs is under development, showcasing the region's commitment to innovative energy solutions. Additional projects are in the pipeline in New Delhi (50MW), Maharastra (100MW), West Bengal (30MW), Karnataka (200MW), Odisha (200MW), and Delhi (500MW).
Ongoing -
Malawi
On November 25, 2024, GEAPP and the Government of Malawi launched a 20MW BESS project in Lilongwe. GEAPP is providing up to $20 million in grant funding with additional match funding from the Government of Malawi and ESCOM. The project, set to be commissioned later this year, aims to reduce reliance on diesel generators, cut carbon emissions by approximately 10,000 tons annually, and integrate at least 100MW of renewable energy into the grid. AfDB is additionally working towards supporting a private sector BESS project (60MW) for energy arbitrage. The BESS Consortium aims to play a critical role in unlocking the approval process.
Ongoing -
VietnamBringing together the expertise and resources of Alliance members, GEAPP has coordinated a plan to embed and expand a 50MW pilot BESS project, create a BESS growth roadmap for 300MW and devise a regulatory framework.
Ongoing -
BESS auction for 60MW
In Barbados, IDB, RELP, NREL, IFC, and GEAPP are supporting the country’s first BESS auction for 60MW across multiple systems, which the country aims to grow to 150MW by 2026. The auction was launched in November 2024 and is open to international bidders, providing access to leading battery technology at competitive prices. Consortium partners are working to complete a competitive procurement process for the installation by Q2 2025 and have the batteries operational by Q4 2025.
Ongoing -
Early scoping and document review underway with World Bank and Belize Government teams to support the World Bank’s 40MW BESS project (4 sites). Leveraging financing from the Canada Clean Energy and Forest Climate Facility (CCEFCF) Trust Fund ($8.2M) and World Bank Funding ($50M).
Early scoping and document review underway with World Bank and Belize Government teams to support the World Bank’s 40MW BESS project (4 sites). Leveraging financing from the Canada Clean Energy and Forest Climate Facility (CCEFCF) Trust Fund ($8.2M) and World Bank Funding ($50M).
Ongoing -
Indonesia
Facilitating the deployment of 10MW of BESS by providing both technical expertise and project capital funding. This initiative will significantly enhance the country's renewable energy infrastructure and improve grid stability which enable the country to meet its goal of achieving net zero by 2060.
Ongoing -
Collaborating with Alliance partners to address TA needs and support the development of BESS as a complement to wind farms. This initiative is pivotal in driving renewable energy efforts across the country, enhancing grid reliability, and maximizing the efficiency of renewable energy sources in order to reach the goal of 50% electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.
Ongoing -
South Africa
Supporting South Africa’s public utility Eskom in bringing online the first large-scale BESS.
Ongoing -
The Government of Brazil has requested BESS Consortium support, currently provided by NREL, to plan and develop regulation for at least 10MW of BESS to balance RE generation in the grid and mitigate risks due to increasingly frequent droughts. Medium-term demand for BESS, likely long-term storage is expected to be higher.
Ongoing -
GEAPP and RELP (coordinating with other regional partners) are initiating work to design a regional pooled procurement scheme, to bridge barriers due to low-scale and uncertain project pipelines; helping small-island states in the LAC region benefit from lower prices and accelerated deployment timelines for an estimated potential of ~8,000MW until 2035. This can also be further replicated for other SDIS globally.
Ongoing -
Honduras 23MW in BESS to accompany solar programs (IDB, NREL) The BESS capacity (23MW) is aimed to complement solar programs. The first phase supported by IDB, will deploy 15MW. The second phase will integrate up to an additional 8MW of BESS as part of the access program. The country is also receiving technical assistance and capacity building from NREL.
Ongoing
India
The Consortium has supported the successful commissioning and launch of the 20 MW BESS pilot project in India. Additionally, Consortium members are supporting the development of first-of-its-kind merchant BESS business models in India. In high RE states, the first long duration energy storage (LDES) pilot for LMICs is under development, showcasing the region's commitment to innovative energy solutions. Additional projects are in the pipeline in New Delhi (50MW), Maharastra (100MW), West Bengal (30MW), Karnataka (200MW), Odisha (200MW), and Delhi (500MW).
Ongoing
Malawi
On November 25, 2024, GEAPP and the Government of Malawi launched a 20MW BESS project in Lilongwe. GEAPP is providing up to $20 million in grant funding with additional match funding from the Government of Malawi and ESCOM. The project, set to be commissioned later this year, aims to reduce reliance on diesel generators, cut carbon emissions by approximately 10,000 tons annually, and integrate at least 100MW of renewable energy into the grid. AfDB is additionally working towards supporting a private sector BESS project (60MW) for energy arbitrage. The BESS Consortium aims to play a critical role in unlocking the approval process.
Ongoing
Vietnam
Bringing together the expertise and resources of Alliance members, GEAPP has coordinated a plan to embed and expand a 50MW pilot BESS project, create a BESS growth roadmap for 300MW and devise a regulatory framework.
Ongoing
BESS auction for 60MW
In Barbados, IDB, RELP, NREL, IFC, and GEAPP are supporting the country’s first BESS auction for 60MW across multiple systems, which the country aims to grow to 150MW by 2026. The auction was launched in November 2024 and is open to international bidders, providing access to leading battery technology at competitive prices. Consortium partners are working to complete a competitive procurement process for the installation by Q2 2025 and have the batteries operational by Q4 2025.
Ongoing
Early scoping and document review underway with World Bank and Belize Government teams to support the World Bank’s 40MW BESS project (4 sites). Leveraging financing from the Canada Clean Energy and Forest Climate Facility (CCEFCF) Trust Fund ($8.2M) and World Bank Funding ($50M).
Early scoping and document review underway with World Bank and Belize Government teams to support the World Bank’s 40MW BESS project (4 sites). Leveraging financing from the Canada Clean Energy and Forest Climate Facility (CCEFCF) Trust Fund ($8.2M) and World Bank Funding ($50M).
Ongoing
Indonesia
Facilitating the deployment of 10MW of BESS by providing both technical expertise and project capital funding. This initiative will significantly enhance the country's renewable energy infrastructure and improve grid stability which enable the country to meet its goal of achieving net zero by 2060.
Ongoing
Collaborating with Alliance partners to address TA needs and support the development of BESS as a complement to wind farms. This initiative is pivotal in driving renewable energy efforts across the country, enhancing grid reliability, and maximizing the efficiency of renewable energy sources in order to reach the goal of 50% electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.
Ongoing
South Africa
Supporting South Africa’s public utility Eskom in bringing online the first large-scale BESS.
Ongoing
The Government of Brazil has requested BESS Consortium support, currently provided by NREL, to plan and develop regulation for at least 10MW of BESS to balance RE generation in the grid and mitigate risks due to increasingly frequent droughts. Medium-term demand for BESS, likely long-term storage is expected to be higher.
Ongoing
GEAPP and RELP (coordinating with other regional partners) are initiating work to design a regional pooled procurement scheme, to bridge barriers due to low-scale and uncertain project pipelines; helping small-island states in the LAC region benefit from lower prices and accelerated deployment timelines for an estimated potential of ~8,000MW until 2035. This can also be further replicated for other SDIS globally.
Ongoing
Honduras 23MW in BESS to accompany solar programs (IDB, NREL) The BESS capacity (23MW) is aimed to complement solar programs. The first phase supported by IDB, will deploy 15MW. The second phase will integrate up to an additional 8MW of BESS as part of the access program. The country is also receiving technical assistance and capacity building from NREL.
Ongoing
Global installed energy storage capacity by scenario, 2023 and 2030
Source: IEA
What is needed to accelerate and scale?
The BESS Consortium is a platform which aims to catalyze system change through market shaping and momentum building. Benefits to joining the Consortium as a Resource, Technical or Industry Partner are:
- Policy and enabling environment support
- Access to data and best practice sharing
- Pooled financing to access best in class technical assistance and fast-track financial assistance
- Access to battery supplier, technology and market insights
- Enhanced engagement, collaboration, and partnerships among other members
- Contribution to the global narrative of BESS efforts
Growth of energy storage
Latest on BESS
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ReportsRenewable Energy Scale Up in Northern VietnamRenewable Energy Scale Up in Northern Vietnam09.09.2024Vietnam -
BlogPioneering Innovation with Vietnam’s BESS Pilot ProjectPioneering Innovation with Vietnam’s BESS Pilot Project02.08.2024Vietnam -
EventsBESS Workshop in VietnamBESS Workshop in Vietnam28.06.2024Vietnam
Meet Our Experts
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Umang MaheshwariUmang MaheshwariManaging Director, BESSAsia -
Tshegofatso is a Manager for Utility Innovation at GEAPP, bringing over 13 years of experience in the Southern African electricity supply industry. Previously, he worked with Deloitte Consulting on USAID’s Power Africa initiative and held roles at Eskom and Accenture South Africa. He holds an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Pretoria
Tshegofatso NeeuwfanTshegofatso NeeuwfanManager, Utility InnovationAfrica -
Sunita DubeySunita DubeyCountry Delivery LeadVietnam
