Blueleaf, Universal Peak win bid for 100-MW BESS project in Malaysia
- Özcan Berk Atakan
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Malaysia has taken a significant step toward strengthening its power system and supporting higher renewable energy penetration, as Blueleaf Energy and Universal Peak have won a competitive bid to develop a 100-MW / 400-MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) under the country’s inaugural utility-scale storage tender.
The project forms part of Malaysia’s MyBeST (Malaysia Battery Energy Storage System) program, a landmark initiative designed to introduce large-scale storage as a core component of the national grid.
The tender was administered by Malaysia’s energy regulator, Energy Commission of Malaysia (Suruhanjaya Tenaga), and attracted strong interest from both domestic and international players. Out of 28 submitted bids, only four projects were selected, each with a capacity of 100 MW / 400 MWh, highlighting the competitiveness and strategic importance of the program.
With this award, the Blueleaf–Universal Peak consortium will contribute to a total of 400 MW / 1,600 MWh of new grid-scale storage capacity planned under the first MyBeST auction phase.
The BESS is scheduled to reach commercial operation in 2027.
Malaysia’s power system is undergoing a structural shift as solar and other variable renewable energy sources continue to expand. Grid-scale battery storage plays a critical role in managing this transition by delivering services such as:
Frequency regulation and grid stability
Peak shaving and load balancing
Energy shifting, allowing excess renewable generation to be stored and dispatched when demand is high
Reduced reliance on fossil-fuel peaking plants
This project directly supports the objectives of Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which aims to significantly increase renewable energy penetration and modernize grid infrastructure over the coming decades.
Blueleaf Energy, a Singapore-based renewable energy platform owned by funds managed by Macquarie Asset Management, brings deep experience in project development, financing, and long-term asset management across Asia-Pacific.
Universal Peak, as a Malaysian partner, adds essential local market knowledge, regulatory expertise, and execution capability, ensuring that the project aligns with national grid requirements and local operational standards.
This combination of international capital and local execution strength has become a defining model for large-scale energy infrastructure development across Southeast Asia.
Beyond its immediate technical benefits, the award sends a clear signal to the regional market:
Utility-scale BESS is now bankable in Malaysia
Competitive auctions are emerging as the preferred procurement model
Storage is no longer an auxiliary technology, but a core grid asset
As Southeast Asian power systems continue to integrate higher shares of renewables, projects like this are expected to accelerate, opening new opportunities for developers, investors, and technology providers.
The Blueleaf–Universal Peak BESS project represents more than a single asset—it marks a structural shift in how Malaysia plans, procures, and operates its future power system. If successfully delivered on schedule, it is likely to serve as a benchmark for subsequent storage auctions and a reference case for neighboring markets considering similar grid-scale deployments.
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