Africa-focused independent power company Globeleq, alongside its project development partner African Rainbow Energy, have announced that they have reached commercial close on the 153 MW/612 MWh Red Sands battery energy storage project (Red Sands BESS) in South Africa. The company made the announcement following the signing of the project agreements with the Department of Electricity and Energy and the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) last week.
The Red Sands BESS project is being built in the Northern Cape of South Africa, and is the largest standalone BESS plant in Africa to reach commercial close. Globeleq and its partner Africa Rainbow Energy were awarded the project in 2024 under the South African Government’s battery energy storage independent power producer programme.
“Commercial close on the Red Sands BESS is a landmark moment for Globeleq and for battery storage in Africa. It highlights our ability to deliver large-scale, clean energy infrastructure that meets the continent’s evolving power needs,” said Jonathan Hoffman, the CEO of Globeleq.
The Red Sands BESS is expected to ease transmission and distribution congestion in the Northern Cape. The project will enhance grid stability by storing energy during off-peak times and releasing it during periods of peak demand. It also provides ancillary services and grid management support to the NTCSA.
The project will span approximately five hectares and involves substantial upgrades to Eskom’s and the NTCSA’s grid infrastructure.
“The successful commercial close of Red Sands BESS, the fifth project in the 1st Energy Storage Bid Window, will enable the NTSCA to unlock additional capacity in the constrained Northern Cape supply area. The addition of the 153 MW facility will ensure that power, generated primarily by solar PV plants in the area, will charge the batteries during off-peak periods,” said Segomoco Scheppers, Eskom’s interim Chief Executive for the NTCSA.
“The batteries will then discharge during peak periods, thereby reducing the pressure on the grid. We are looking forward to the positive impact of having battery technology in the energy mix, which will contribute to the country’s dispatchable load and promote grid stability by the supply of ancillary services,” added Scheppers.
Red Sands BESS will be Globeleq’s second utility scale BESS in its renewable portfolio adding to its 13 solar, wind and hybrid PV plus BESS plants in South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya and Egypt, as well as the Menengai Geothermal plant currently under construction in Kenya.
