Regulatory Commission approves Battery Energy Storage (BES) project in Brahmapuram

THIRUVANNTHAPURAM: The State Electricity Regulatory Commission approved the start of a Battery Energy Storage (BES) project in Brahmapuram to store solar power generated during the day. This is the largest BES project in the state. The storage system will have a capacity of 250 MW.

KSEB was permitted to enter into a tariff-based agreement with Shreyas Sortex Industries Limited on a nine-acre plot of land adjacent to the defunct diesel power plant in Brahmapuram. KSEB will get electricity at Rs 5.59 per unit at night. KSEB is buying electricity from outside Kerala at a rate of Rs 10 per unit and more during peak hours. This can be reduced significantly. The construction cost will be Rs 600 crore. Out of this, Rs 90 crore will be received as the centre's Viability Gap Fund (VGF). KSEB will not have any financial liability.

Although solar power is abundant, there is no system to store it. Therefore, electricity must be purchased from outside at a high price to meet demand during the night. With the widespread use of BES, the practice of purchasing from outside can be brought to an end.

BES has 5 locations

Mylatti (125 MW),

Mulleria (15 MW),

Srikantapuram-(40 MW),

Areekode-(30 MW),

Pothencode (40 MW)