Malaysia’s first four large-scale grid-connected storage projects, a milestone that arrives as the country rapidly expands solar and other intermittent renewable generation, creating strong momentum for energy storage.
Results are scheduled to be announced in October, and the winning projects are expected to come online by 2027. That timeline caps a competitive bidding round for Malaysia’s first four large-scale grid-connected storage projects, a milestone that arrives as the country rapidly expands solar and other intermittent renewable generation, creating strong momentum for energy storage.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
MyBeST: Four 100MW/400MWh Systems
In 2024, Malaysia launched its first large-scale storage initiative, MyBeST, to build four grid-connected battery systems of 100MW/400MWh each. The bidding round opened in May and closed in July. More than 20 companies submitted over 30 proposals, reflecting interest from established energy players and newcomers from the infrastructure and property development sectors.
According to The Edge Malaysia, major energy companies—including Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), YTL Power, and Malakoff Corp—submitted multiple bids, with TNB widely seen as a frontrunner. Other contenders include Gamuda (entered renewables in 2022), Mega First Corp (developing its first large solar project), Petronas subsidiaries Petronas Gas and Gentari, as well as storage company BM Greentech, EPC contractors Pekat Group and Solarvest Holdings, and Samaiden Group.
Each 100MW/400MWh project is estimated to cost between RM270 million and RM300 million (about USD 63.8–70.9 million), depending on the battery system and construction costs. Tender documents specify two charging models: a capacity-based fee charged regardless of usage, and a service-based fee tied to storage and discharge cycles. Financial models and technical partners are seen as decisive.
Why Storage, Why Nows
As Malaysia pushes forward with its Large-Scale Solar 5 (LSS5) program, flexible grid operations supported by storage are becoming critical. The current tender is designed to add that flexibility while supporting the pace of renewables deployment.
With proposals in and evaluation underway, the October announcement will set the roster for Malaysia’s first wave of grid-connected storage. The focus, observers say, will be on bankable financing structures and credible technology partnerships—factors that will steer MyBeST’s four projects toward delivery by 2027.
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