Maximum Demand: Reduce Peak Charges with BESS
For many businesses in Malaysia, the Maximum Demand (MD) charge can quietly consume a big portion of the monthly electricity bill. This charge, imposed by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), is based on the single highest 15-minute window of electricity usage recorded within the billing cycle. Even if that peak happened only once, your business still pays extra for it throughout the month.
Imagine running a factory that turns on several machines at once during production hours or a commercial building that experiences heavy air-conditioning loads in the afternoon. That brief surge in usage pushes up your MD reading and results in hundreds or even thousands of ringgit in additional charges.
This is where a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) becomes a game changer. A BESS stores energy during off-peak hours when demand and tariffs are low, then releases that stored power when your facility’s consumption spikes. The result is a smoother and more consistent power profile that prevents your meter from recording sudden demand surges.
By discharging stored power strategically, BESS allows your business to limit MD peaks and effectively lower the demand portion of your TNB bill. Depending on your load profile, this can lead to electricity savings of 10 to 30 percent per month. Over time, these savings can offset the installation cost and turn BESS into a strong long-term investment.
Beyond cost savings, BESS provides additional advantages such as improved power quality, reduced reliance on the grid, and better operational stability. It also supports energy efficiency programs and can be integrated with renewable systems like solar power to enhance sustainability goals.
For businesses in manufacturing, data centres, cold storage, or commercial buildings, managing MD is no longer an option but a necessity to remain competitive.
💡 Stop paying for short-term peaks that drain your budget.