KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will require all future solar power projects under its sixth Large Scale Solar (LSS6) programme to include battery energy storage systems (BESS), as the government moves to strengthen grid stability alongside renewable energy expansion.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the inclusion of battery storage would become a key requirement under LSS6 as Malaysia seeks to strengthen grid stability while expanding renewable energy capacity.
Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said the requirement reflects growing concerns over global energy security and supply disruptions as Malaysia accelerates its clean energy transition.
"This is one of the areas we are looking at because if we look at solar LSS6, it must come with a battery. All new power generation using solar must come with a battery," he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of agreements between Mikro MSC Bhd and Hong Kong Cospower Technology Co Ltd today.
Fadillah said Malaysia is targeting around 2,000 megawatts (MW) of BESS capacity under a phased rollout, though the figure may be adjusted according to future demand requirements.
He said several projects have already commenced, including an initial 100MW project that has been commissioned, while another 400MW is currently under development in the next phase.
"All these are implemented in stages. Some are already running, some are being tendered and some are upcoming. We will assess current needs and can accelerate implementation if demand increases," he said.
Fadillah said that electricity supply and demand projections are reviewed every six months to ensure generation planning remains aligned with national needs, with annual capacity targets subject to adjustment if demand rises faster than expected.
Separately, Fadillah said Malaysia is adequately prepared to manage fuel supply requirements amid concerns over potential shortages during the Northern Hemisphere summer period.
"I think we are well prepared. Petroliam Nasional Bhd has explored all the possibilities. I believe they have secured and procured crude oil supplies," he said.
He said the latest assessment on the country's fuel supply preparedness would be discussed at the upcoming National Economic Council meeting next week following a two-week break.
"It (the assessment) depends on the final report from the Economic Council, and they will definitely announce it," he said.