Big BESS back-up

Construction on two grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) is scheduled to get under way in South Africa soon.

Both projects, worth a total ZAR5.3 billion, have reached commercial close following the award of the contracts to the preferred bidders under government’s Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement programme (BESIPPP).

The standalone Mogobe BESS, near Kathu in the Northern Cape, is being developed by a consortium led by solar PV specialist Scatec, along with Perpetua and a local community trust, through a 15 year power-purchase agreement.

The Oasis Mookodi BESS in the North West province will be built by a consortium led by EDF Energy, together with Mulilo, Pele, Gibb Crede and a community trust.

Together the systems have a total capacity of 180 MW/720 MWh. The construction phase, scheduled for two years, will create an expected 217 jobs.

Another two BESS facilities are to reach commercial close by the end of November, and a fifth is preparing for commercial close in early 2025.

It is envisaged that the BESS installations will store energy during periods of low demand and release the electricity during peak demand periods, or when needed to stabilise the grid. In addition, they will allow for more renewable energy to be integrated onto the grid.