QAZAQ GREEN. Azerbaijan has started the delivery and installation of the region’s largest Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) as part of efforts to support the large-scale integration of renewable energy. The facilities will be commissioned in the coming months at the 500 kV Absheron substation near Baku and the 220 kV Agdash substation in central Azerbaijan.

The project is being implemented by AzerEnergy and represents the largest battery storage infrastructure in the CIS in terms of capacity and output. The total installed power of the systems will reach 250 MW, with an energy storage capacity of 500 MWh.

The first batch of battery systems has already been delivered to Azerbaijan. The equipment was manufactured to order at Great Power’s plant in China and transported by sea and land through several international routes before arriving at the project sites. Each battery unit weighs 36 tonnes and was delivered under special transport conditions. To date, around 15% of the systems have been installed, with the remaining 85% scheduled for delivery and installation by April.

According to AzerEnergy, the battery storage centres are of strategic importance for improving grid stability, maintaining frequency control, balancing the variability of renewable energy sources, covering peak loads, smoothing demand during periods of reduced solar generation, and restoring the power system in emergency situations. The project is also expected to strengthen Azerbaijan’s energy independence and ensure reliable operation of the national grid both in parallel with neighbouring countries and in standalone mode.