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.

Who makes lithium ion batteries in South Africa?

The top 10 lithium ion battery manufacturers in Africa are iG3N, BlueNova, Freedom Won, Solar MD, Hanchu Energy, REVOV, Potensa, Esener, CTG EYIL and Jsdsolar SA. REVOV is another key player in South Africa''s lithium In 2022, the cost of a lithium-ion battery was valued at approximately USD 151 per kWh.

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.

Is Eskom launching a battery energy storage system in South Africa?

Friday, 10 November 2023: Eskom unveiled the first of its kind largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project not only in South Africa but in the African continent. Eskom officially opened the Hex BESS site at Worcester in the Western Cape yesterday.

Does South Africa have a battery storage tender programme?

South Africa is aiming to procure utility-scale battery storage with two tender programmes: its Battery Storage IPP Procurement Programme as well as hybrid battery storage and variable renewables projects through its Risk Mitigation IPP Procurement Programme.

Why is the South African government using IPP to allocate battery storage?

In 2022, this led to unprecedented load shedding of more than 8 terawatt-hours (TWh), which was a fourfold increase in unmet demand compared with the previous year. As a result, the South African government is using its Independent Power Producer (IPP) Procurement Programmes to allocate firm capacity, including battery storage.