A consortium led by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and EDF has secured preferred bidder status for three battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in South Africa. The projects, Oasis Aggeneis, Oasis Mookodi, and Oasis Nieuwehoop, collectively amount to an impressive 257MW/1,028MWh of energy storage. The South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) granted these projects out of a total of five awarded, reflecting a significant stride in the country's commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

Costing $372 million (ZAR 7 billion), construction for the projects is slated to commence in mid-2024. These ventures, operated by transmission system operator Eskom, will deliver electricity to the grid under 15-year power purchase agreements (PPAs). The awarded projects form part of a larger 513MW/2,052MWh tender issued by DMRE, designed to enhance the country's grid resilience and support the integration of renewable energy sources.

The consortium, featuring independent power producer Mulilo (majority-owned by CIP) and EDF Renewables, signifies a pivotal collaboration between global players in advancing South Africa's energy transition. Aggeneis and Mookodi are expected to be 77MW each, while Nieuwehoop will boast a capacity of 103MW. The projects align with the government's initiatives, as energy storage becomes a crucial component in fortifying the grid and facilitating increased renewable energy adoption.

Source: energy-storage.news