Saudi-based independent power producer (IPP) ACWA Power has signed a PPA with government bodies in South Africa for a solar-plus-storage project with a 1,200MWh BESS.
Key contracts have been signed for the first-ever grid-scale battery storage project in Namibia, signifying the African country’s dedication to modernising its energy infrastructure, according to a top local official.
Norway-based independent power producer (IPP) Scatec has started operations on three solar-plus-storage projects in South Africa, totalling 1,140MWh of BESS capacity.
Norway-based IPP Scatec has won preferred bidder status for a 103MW/412MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) project in South Africa, part of a 513MW tender.
EDF Renewables has reached financial and commercial close on two virtually-coupled hybrid projects in South Africa, combining wind and solar with a combined 75MW of battery storage.
Eskom, the public utility company of South Africa, has inaugurated a 20MW/100MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) aimed at mitigating the challenging situation facing the country’s grid.
South Africa needs to prioritise grid-located battery storage if it is to overcome the ongoing ‘load-shedding’ power outage crisis plaguing the country.
It is “unacceptable” for a rural electricity supplier to use solar to prevent load-shedding, but batteries or other grid-independent electricity sources could be used, Eskom said.
A solar-plus-storage project is being planned for the legislative capital of South Africa, as the city looks to move “away from Eskom reliance and towards a load-shedding-free Cape Town”, its Mayor said.
