The Saudi Arabia 4GWh BESS Programme is a pair of utility-scale battery energy storage system projects located in Tabuk and Hail provinces in northern Saudi Arabia, commissioned by the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and representing one of the largest BESS deployments in the Middle East. Delivered using HiTHIUM’s Cell 1175Ah lithium iron phosphate technology — the world’s first commercially mass-produced long-duration energy storage cell — the two facilities are packaged in Power 6.25MWh Desert Eagle containerised systems engineered specifically for extreme desert climates, providing load shifting, frequency regulation, black-start capability, and voltage support to the national grid. HiTHIUM’s supply contracts for the two projects were valued at approximately $179 million for Tabuk and $183 million for Hail, with Alfanar’s construction contracts valued at approximately $1.16 million and $1.18 million respectively, and commissioning is targeted for 2026. Together they form part of a rapidly maturing Saudi renewable energy landscape that is also attracting international EPC contractors, with Elsewedy Electric recently completing the 348.6 MWp El Saad Solar Plant near Riyadh — delivered 7.5 months ahead of schedule and marking the Egyptian energy group’s first utility-scale solar project in the Gulf region.

Project Overview

Type: Two utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities

Locations: Tabuk Province (Tabuk-1) and Hail Province (Hail-2), northern Saudi Arabia

Combined capacity: 4GWh

BESS unit format: HiTHIUM ∞Power 6.25MWh Desert Eagle containerised systems

Battery cell technology: HiTHIUM ∞Cell 1175Ah LFP — world’s first mass-produced long-duration energy storage cell

Operating temperature range: -30°C to +60°C; internal cooling reduces temperatures by up to 10°C

Component rating: 40,000 hours continuous operation; sealed units with automated dust alerts

HiTHIUM supply contract values: ~$179M (Tabuk-1), ~$183M (Hail-2); combined O&M contracts: ~$1.63M

Alfanar construction contract values: ~$1.16M (Tabuk-1), ~$1.18M (Hail-2); tenders launched April 2025, concluded after four-month evaluation

Target commissioning: 2026

Grid services: Load shifting, black-start capability, frequency regulation, voltage support

Broader context: Saudi Arabia had approximately 13GWh of grid-scale BESS in pipeline or under construction by mid-2025, with capacity expected to reach 33.5GWh by 2026, potentially ranking it third globally behind China and the US

Vision 2030 alignment: Supports Saudi Arabia’s target of 50% renewable electricity generation by 2030

Project Team

Client/Owner: Saudi Electricity Company (SEC)

BESS Technology Provider: HiTHIUM (Chongqing, China)

HiTHIUM MEA President: Dr. Keramat Fakhari

Construction Contractor: Alfanar Projects (Saudi Arabia)

Manufacturing base: HiTHIUM Chongqing facility (reached 100GWh cumulative shipments milestone August 2025)

Global partnership: HiTHIUM × Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction Group (January 2025)

Other major Saudi BESS contracts in parallel: SEC × BYD (12.5GWh grid-side agreement); Sungrow × AlGihaz (7.8GWh award)

SEC Phase 2 BESS programme: 2.5GW/2GWh across five locations — Riyadh, Al Qaisumah, Al Jawf, Al Dawadmi, and Rabigh

Published 29th August 2025: Saudi Arabia’s battery energy storage (bess) projects totalling 4GWh makes advances as it awards contract to China-based Hithium. The nation has deployed two battery energy storage system (bess) projects in northern Saudi Arabia. Located in Tabuk and Hail provinces, the projects will be developed in partnership with Saudi contractor Alfanar Projects. They will have a combined capacity of 4GWh, representing one of the largest bess deployments in the Middle East. The Chinese manufacturer will supply its energy storage battery cells through 6.25MWh bess units.

The systems are engineered to withstand extreme climate conditions, with insulation that reduces internal temperatures by up to 10°C. Moreover, the bess installations will provide grid services including load shifting, black-start capability, frequency regulation and voltage support. Hithium said it will manage system design, supply, installation supervision and long-term maintenance, while Alfanar will oversee construction. Saudi Arabia has made major advancements in bess projects, with works such as the world’s largest BESS project located in the country.

State of Affairs Regarding Saudi Arabia’s 4GWh BESS Projects

Saudi Arabia’s 4GWh BESS deployment will utilize HiTHIUM’s Cell 1175Ah technology, the industry’s first commercially mass-produced long-duration storage solution. It also includes Power 6.25MWh Desert Eagle series systems, designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. Their multi-layer insulation maintains internal heat as low as 8°C to 10°C below internal temperature and allows operation between -30°C and 60°C with reliability. Additionally, sealed units and automated dust alerts reduce maintenance, and components are rated at 40,000 hours continuous operation.

The BESS units will provide load shifting, frequency regulation, black-start capability, and voltage support. This will enable greater renewable energy integration and less fossil fuel reliance. HiTHIUM will oversee system design, supply, monitoring, and maintenance. On the other hand, Alfanar Projects will lead construction until 2026 commissioning. The compnay has been fundamental in delivering energy projects across the Middle East region such as solar plants. HiTHIUM MEA president Keramat Fakhari labeled Saudi Arabia’s 4GWh BESS project a world standard. It also follows a partnership between HiTHIUM and Samsung C&T in 2025, which is in line with rising global demand for energy storage technology.