Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has launched Malaysia’s first battery energy storage system (BESS) directly connected to the national grid, marking a significant step in the country’s energy transition.
The Santong BESS, with a capacity of 100 MW/400 MWh, is located at the main intake substation (PMU) 132/33 kV in Dungun, Terengganu and began operations on 16 April 2026.
TNB chairman Tan Sri Abdul Razak Abdul Majid said the strategic facility is expected to strengthen the stability and reliability of the nation’s electricity supply, particularly on the East Coast.
“BESS Santong plays an important role in ensuring grid stability through its rapid response capability to the imbalance of electricity supply and demand,” he said at the launch ceremony officiated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Developed on a 1.2-hectare site, the system uses liquid-cooling technology and grid-forming capabilities, enabling larger-scale integration of renewable energy while improving operational efficiency of the national grid.
“BESS Santong functions as a smart energy bank that stores electricity from renewable energy sources such as large-scale solar farms and hybrid hydro-floating solar systems before being fed back into the grid when needed,” Abdul Razak explained.
He said the system can balance fluctuations in electricity supply and demand in real-time, especially during peak times or system disruptions, and can support electricity needs equivalent to approximately 40,000 households on the East Coast.
The project was completed within 309 days, demonstrating TNB’s capability to implement energy infrastructure projects efficiently.
TNB chief executive officer Datuk Shamsul Ahmad said the system supports peak load management and solar energy integration on a larger scale through its grid-forming capabilities.
The Santong BESS aligns with the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), strengthening grid infrastructure to support broader renewable energy integration and enhance the resilience of the national energy system.
Source: The Star / Bernama
