A partnership between renewable energy developer Mulilo and independent power producer EDF Renewables has emerged as the leading contender for three battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in South Africa.
These projects, spanning the Northern Cape and North West Provinces, will contribute 257 MW/1,028 MWh to bolster the country’s electricity grid efficiency.
Expected to kick off construction by mid-2024, the Oasis Aggeneis, Oasis Mookodi, and Oasis Nieuwehoop initiatives have secured a 15-year power purchase agreement with Eskom, South Africa’s power utility, signaling a significant step towards stabilizing the grid. The cumulative cost for these projects is estimated at $375 million.
Robert Helms, partner at Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, the majority stakeholder of Mulilo, expressed appreciation for the South African government’s commitment to rapid battery energy storage development.
Helms emphasized the positive impact of Mulilo’s contributions toward the nation’s energy security, economic progress, and green transformation.
These projects are part of the Battery Energy Storage Procurement Program initiated by South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in March 2023.
Among the five awarded projects, totaling 513 MW, they are set to offer crucial capacity, energy supply, and ancillary services across the country.
