Why is battery storage important in South Africa?

In South Africa, battery storage is increasingly seen as a key pillar to help provide grid stability and integrate variable renewables given its ageing coal-fired power fleet and grid.

How does the international community contribute to battery storage in South Africa?

The international community is also contributing to the development of battery storage systems in South Africa. For example, the World Bank and the African Development Bank recently approved funding for the battery storage element – worth around USD 500 million – of a hybrid project within the Eskom Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

Can Utility-scale battery storage improve grid stability?

Utility-scale battery storage could be one pillar to provide additional grid stability by helping to meet peak demand, help integrate variable renewables, and, especially for industrial consumers, provide continuous electricity during load shedding and outages.

Will solar batteries help South Africa's energy grid?

South Africa’s state-owned utility Eskom anticipates that these projects will showcase the effectiveness of batteries in facilitating the integration of renewable energy into the country's energy mix, while simultaneously easing the strain on the national electricity grid.

Why is energy storage important in South Africa?

Experts say that widespread energy storage is vital to expanding the reach of renewables and speeding the transition to a carbon-free power grid - this is key to helping reduce South Africa’s reliance on fossil fuels as it seeks to transition to clean energy.

Where is Eskom putting a 20 mw/100 MWh battery energy storage system?

South African utility Eskom has switched on a 20 MW/100 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Worcester, Western Cape province,. It has been billed as the largest such project in all of Africa.