Canadian Solar switches on Phase I of Gansu standalone BESS

Canadian Solar Inc. (CSI) has announced the successful grid connection and commencement of operation for the first phase of its landmark standalone energy storage project in the city of Jiuquan in northwest China’s Gansu province.

The 500 MW/ 2 GWh project is being developed in two phases. Phase I, a 200 MW/800 MWh installation, began construction on May 16, 2024, and was completed and grid-connected on December 11, 2024. This initial phase represents a CNY 1 billion ($139 million) investment and includes 54 energy storage subsystems. Supporting infrastructure includes a 330kV booster station, connecting the output to Jiuquan’s 750kV substation.

Canadian Solar deployed its SolBank energy storage technology for the project, which uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery systems known for their high depth of discharge, extended cycle life, and durability of up to 25 years. Over its lifecycle, the system is projected to deliver a cumulative charge throughput of 6.026 billion kWh. The advanced storage solution is designed to optimize renewable energy utilization and enhance grid stability.

Gansu Province is a renewable energy leader in China. According to the State Grid Gansu Electric Power Company, as of November 2024, the province’s installed clean energy capacity reached 70 GW, accounting for 73% of its total power generation capacity. Despite this achievement, the variability of wind and solar power generation poses significant challenges to grid balancing.

The newly commissioned BESS project addresses these issues by improving grid flexibility and efficiency. Its functions include facilitating renewable energy integration, providing auxiliary grid services, reducing curtailment of wind and solar power, and enabling demand-side management. These capabilities are crucial in supporting China’s transition to a modernized power market while enhancing the reliability and stability of the grid.

As a global leader in photovoltaics and energy storage, Canadian Solar reported a storage order backlog exceeding 60 GWh as of September 30, 2024. With the current SolBank production capacity at 20 GWh, the company plans to expand this to 30 GWh by the end of 2025, solidifying its role as a key player in the global energy transition.