Blueleaf Energy and Universal Peak to Deliver Landmark 100MW / 400MWh Battery Energy Storage Project in Malaysia
Malaysia has taken a major step forward in strengthening its power grid and accelerating its energy transition with the award of
a landmark 100MW / 400MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project at Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah.The project represents a major
advancement in strengthening national grid stability while supporting the country’s growing renewable energy capacity.
Shortlisted under the Malaysia Battery Energy Storage System (MyBeST) program by Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST), the country’s national
energy regulator, the project will be developed on a Build–Own–Operate (BOO) basis by a consortium comprising Blueleaf Energy and
Universal Peak Sdn Bhd. The facility is scheduled to achieve Commercial Operation Date (COD) on 30 April 2027 and will operate
for a 15-year tenure.
The BESS will be connected to Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s (TNB) transmission network via the PMU Bukit Kayu
Hitam 132/33/11kV substation, providing fast-response grid services critical to Malaysia’s evolving energy landscape.
Strengthening the Grid for a Renewable Future
The MyBeST program represents Malaysia’s first nationwide deployment of utility-scale battery energy storage and is a key pillar
of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which targets 70% renewable energy capacity by 2050.
As Malaysia experiences rising renewable energy penetration, increasing peak demand, and greater grid volatility, the need for
flexible, dispatchable energy storage has become critical. The Bukit Kayu Hitam project forms part of the first 400MW / 1,600MWh
national BESS tranche, setting a new benchmark for future storage developments across the country.
Once operational, the facility will provide essential ancillary services, including frequency regulation, peak shifting, and
system stabilization—helping to reduce reliance on fossil-fuel peaking plants and enhance grid resilience in Northern Peninsular
Malaysia.
Overcoming Complex Technical and Regulatory Challenges
Delivering a project of this scale involved navigating stringent regulatory requirements, complex grid interconnection works, and
long-term performance guarantees.
Key challenges included:
- Ensuring full compliance with the Malaysian Grid Code
- Integrating seamlessly with TNB’s 132kV transmission network
- Managing long-term battery degradation while maintaining dispatchable capacity
- Implementing advanced fire safety and thermal runaway protection
- Executing a 1.2 km underground transmission cable route within a limited 2-hectare site
- Coordinating approvals across multiple agencies, including ST, TNB, BOMBA, DOE, and local authorities
Failure to address these challenges could have compromised system reliability, safety compliance, and lifecycle performance.
A Robust, Future-Ready BESS Solution
To meet these demands, the Blueleaf Energy–Universal Peak consortium implemented a performance-driven, safety-first BESS
design tailored to Malaysian grid conditions.
The solution features:
- Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery technology for enhanced safety and longevity
- 88 containerized 20-ft BESS units
- 14 PCS and medium-voltage skid units with 33kV evacuation
- Liquid-cooled thermal management systems
- Multi-layer Battery Management Systems (BMS)
- An integrated EMS-SCADA platform compliant with grid system operator requirements
Early and continuous engagement with regulators, the grid operator, and safety authorities ensured smooth approvals, while a
modular and scalable system architecture future-proofed the facility.
