WindForce PLC has received Letters of Award for 12 standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects under an international competitive bidding process conducted by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), marking Sri Lanka’s first grid-scale standalone battery storage programme.

The awards were issued on 16 February. The projects collectively represent a total installed capacity of 120 megawatts with 480 megawatt hours of energy storage, making it the largest standalone BESS initiative undertaken in the country to date.

The programme has been introduced to strengthen grid stability and facilitate greater integration of renewable energy into the national power system. As Sri Lanka continues to expand wind and solar generation, standalone battery storage is expected to support system reliability, peak demand management, and operational flexibility.

The 12 projects will be developed under a Build, Own and Operate model with a 15-year contract period. The facilities are designed to operate as independent storage assets, providing grid services including frequency regulation and enhanced system resilience.

Of the 12 awarded projects, 11 will be fully owned and developed by WindForce PLC. The remaining project, located in Vavunathivu, will be implemented through a consortium between WindForce PLC and Vidullanka PLC.

The initiative represents Sri Lanka’s first dedicated standalone battery energy storage programme at grid scale. Battery storage systems are increasingly being deployed globally to address variability in renewable energy generation and to ensure stable power supply during fluctuations in demand.

With a total capacity of 120 MW and 480 MWh of storage, the awarded portfolio establishes a significant benchmark for energy storage infrastructure in the country. The projects are expected to contribute to improving grid flexibility and enabling more efficient utilisation of renewable energy resources.