Arabian GridActive tenders, procurement models, capacities, and offtakers for battery energy storage across the Gulf. Updated June 2026.
| Project / Tender | Market | Capacity | Duration | Procurement Model | Offtaker | Status / RFP Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Ajban Standalone BESS | UAE | 1.5 GW | 4 hours (6 GWh) | IPP with long-term offtake | EWEC | RFP closed; evaluation ongoing |
| Hassyan Battery Storage | UAE | 1.2 GW | 4 hours (4.8 GWh) | IPP (storage-as-capacity) | DEWA | Pre-qualification expected Q3 2026 |
| Masdar Multi-Site BESS Pipeline | UAE / KSA / Morocco | 5 GW (aggregate) | 2–4 hours | Mixed (IPP + EPC) | Masdar / Utility offtakers | Pipeline; first tranche 2026 |
| Qatar National BESS Mandate | Qatar | 400 MW | 2 hours (800 MWh) | EPC (Kahramaa-directed) | Kahramaa | Tender expected H2 2026 |
| NEOM Grid Storage | KSA | 2 GW | 4 hours (8 GWh) | EPC + IPP (NEOM-directed) | NEOM / ACWA Power | In procurement; awards expected 2027 |
| Ibri II Extension | Oman | 500 MW | 2 hours (1 GWh) | IPP (OPWP procurement) | OPWP / Oman Grid | RFP expected Q4 2026 |
The aggregate capacity in this tracker exceeds 10 GW. That makes 2026 the first year in which BESS procurement in the GCC rivals solar IPP procurement in scale.
The Al Ajban and Hassyan tenders use the IPP model, not EPC. This shifts risk to the developer/operator and creates long-term revenue visibility through capacity payments and ancillary service contracts.
Most tenders specify 4-hour duration (4:1 energy-to-power ratio). This aligns with daily peak-shaving economics. Longer durations (6–8 hours) are under evaluation for seasonal shifting and hydrogen integration.