ZOE Energy Storage is moving forward with a battery energy storage system plant in Saudi Arabia, designed to produce up to 18 GWh and supply markets in MENA, the Gulf, and Africa.
ZOE Energy Storage announced the construction of a battery energy storage system manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia, a project that seeks to bolster local industrial capacity for BESS solutions and accelerate the deployment of large-scale energy storage in the region.
The Shanghai-based company will develop the facility alongside a Saudi strategic partner. The plan combines ZOE’s core storage technology with local production, a key factor in reducing dependence on imported equipment and meeting the growing demand for batteries for power grids, renewable projects, and energy infrastructure.
BESS factory to support Saudi Vision 2030
According to project information, the plant will be built in phases. The first stage will have an annual capacity of 6 GWh and is scheduled to begin operations during the first quarter of 2027. Later, the second phase will increase manufacturing capacity to 18 GWh.
Furthermore, the initiative aligns with the energy objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which promotes a greater share of clean sources in the electricity mix and the development of local supply chains. In this context, BESS systems are becoming increasingly relevant for managing solar and wind variability, stabilizing grids, and storing energy during hours of high generation.
Local manufacturing for large-scale storage
The new industrial base will occupy nearly 60 hectares and will be oriented toward manufacturing battery storage systems compatible with Saudi grid standards. Additionally, the company expects the facility to obtain the “Made in Saudi Arabia” certification, which would strengthen its integration with the Kingdom’s industrial policy.
In turn, the project aims to fill a significant gap in large-scale energy storage production. For Saudi Arabia, having local BESS manufacturing can shorten supply times, improve equipment availability, and increase technological autonomy in energy transition projects.
Solutions designed for extreme desert environments
The plant will be developed under European manufacturing standards and will produce solutions adapted to demanding desert conditions. This includes systems capable of operating in environments with high temperatures, dust, and high solar radiation—critical factors for energy projects in the Middle East.
Additionally, ZOE Energy Storage seeks to position the facility as a regional supply platform. The factory will serve the Saudi market and could also supply the Gulf, Middle East and North Africa, Central Asia, and Africa—regions where energy storage is gaining importance due to the growth of renewables and the need for greater electrical flexibility.
ZOE reinforces its global regional production strategy
On the other hand, the Saudi complex is part of ZOE Energy Storage’s global strategy: exporting technology, manufacturing locally, and serving regional markets from industrial centers close to demand. The company also noted that this will be its second overseas production base, following its manufacturing center in Hungary.
The project also includes the development of a Green Energy Academy to train local talent and expand technical capabilities in battery manufacturing, BESS system operation, and energy storage. With this, the company aims to contribute to the Saudi clean energy ecosystem beyond industrial production.
In regional terms, the 18 GWh plant could become a relevant piece for the expansion of battery storage in the Middle East. Its progress will depend on phased execution, demand from renewable projects, and the ability to integrate local suppliers into a still-growing value chain.
Source and photo: ZOE Energy