Islamabad: The federal government has decided to make Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) mandatory in the upcoming auction of 800MW of surplus power capacity under the wheeling framework. Participants using solar or wind generation will be required to include battery storage equal to at least 10 percent of their firm generation capacity. ISMO has also published material on BESS in wheeling auctions, while the planned 800MW wheeling allocation has been part of the market framework discussions.
The move is aimed at improving grid stability, reducing renewable-energy curtailment and managing Pakistan’s growing “duck curve” challenge as daytime solar generation lowers grid demand before electricity demand rises sharply after sunset. Developers may install storage above the minimum requirement based on project needs and financial viability.
