CAPE TOWN, 27 June 2025: Globeleq, a leading independent power company in Africa, together with its project partner, African Rainbow Energy, 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, by signing the project agreements with the Department of Electricity and Energy and the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA).Where will the battery energy storage project be implemented?The Project will be implemented at approximately 17 sites, located within or adjacent to existing distribution substations of Eskom, across four provinces of South Africa. The Battery Energy Storage Project (Project) provides a solution to address both challenges.
What are the most popular solar-plus-storage developments in Africa?As noted by AFSIA Solar, one of the most notable solar-plus-storage developments in Africa is Norway-based independent power producer (IPP) Scatec’s 225MW/1,140MWh Kenhardt project in South Africa. The site started operation in late 2023 (pictured above).
Does Scatec have a solar-plus-storage site in South Africa?Scatec’s Kenhardt solar-plus-storage site in South Africa (above), which went online at the end of 2023. Image: Scatec. Africa’s energy storage market has seen a boom since 2017, having risen from just 31MWh to 1,600MWh in 2024, according to trade body AFSIA Solar’s latest report.
What is the Drakensberg pumped storage scheme?Designed to generate electricity for 10 hours per day through its four 250 MW turbine generators, the Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme is an energy storage facility, situated in the northern parts of the Drakensberg Mountain range of South Africa, which provides up to 27.6 GWh of electricity storage.
How will Bess projects impact South Africa's Energy Security?As South Africa continues to grapple with frequent blackouts and load shedding, these BESS projects will help mitigate risks and contribute to the country’s energy security. The Gainfar Project will be connected to the Ngwedi substation, while the Boitekong Project will be connected to the Marang substation.
Who owns 153 MW & 612 MWh in South Africa?Developed by Globeleq, which is 30% owned by Norfund, in partnership with African Rainbow Energy, the 153 MW/612 MWh project was signed off in June 2025 in Cape Town. It will be located in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province and occupies a five-hectare si
Jul 1, 2025 · The project was awarded preferred bidder status under South Africa''s Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Programme (BESIPPP) in 2024. It marks a strategic
Export PriceSep 28, 2025 · Recently, the kick-off meeting of the 153MW/612MWh battery energy storage system project in Red Sands, South Africa, the largest single cell battery energy storage
Export PriceJan 20, 2025 · Africa''s energy storage market has boomed since 2017, rising from 31MWh to 1,600MWh in 2024, according to trade body AFSIA Solar.
Export PriceJan 6, 2025 · AMEA Power awarded two projects through Bid Window 2 of the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP) in South Africa. The Gainfar and Boitekong
Export PriceJul 2, 2025 · Located approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Upington in Northern Cape Province, the Project is part of South Africa''s first Energy Storage Independent Power
Export PriceJul 4, 2022 · With acute power shortages impacting the African continent, energy storage is emerging as a key solution to support national grids.
Export PriceOct 27, 2025 · As Africa''s largest standalone energy storage project, it is described as a " stabilizing anchor " for South Africa''s power grid, playing a vital role in enhancing grid
Export PriceJan 20, 2025 · Africa''s energy storage market has boomed since 2017, rising from 31MWh to 1,600MWh in 2024, according to trade body AFSIA Solar.
Export Price3 days ago · The project was awarded preferred bidder in 2024 under the South African Government''s battery energy storage independent power producer programme. Red Sands
Export PriceJan 6, 2025 · AMEA Power awarded two projects through Bid Window 2 of the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP) in South Africa.
Export PriceJul 1, 2025 · The project was awarded preferred bidder status under South Africa''s Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Programme
Export PriceThe Battery Energy Storage Project (Project) provides a solution to address both challenges. The Project can store excess renewable energy in low demand periods and release the energy during peak hours, meeting the
Export PriceApr 9, 2024 · Globeleq, an independent power company in Africa, has revealed that its South Africa Red Sands project has been awarded preferred bidder status The 153MW / 612MWh
Export PriceJul 4, 2022 · With acute power shortages impacting the African continent, energy storage is emerging as a key solution to support national grids.
Export PriceThe Battery Energy Storage Project (Project) provides a solution to address both challenges. The Project can store excess renewable energy in low demand periods and release the energy
Export Price
The Project will be implemented at approximately 17 sites, located within or adjacent to existing distribution substations of Eskom, across four provinces of South Africa. The Battery Energy Storage Project (Project) provides a solution to address both challenges.
As noted by AFSIA Solar, one of the most notable solar-plus-storage developments in Africa is Norway-based independent power producer (IPP) Scatec’s 225MW/1,140MWh Kenhardt project in South Africa. The site started operation in late 2023 (pictured above).
Scatec’s Kenhardt solar-plus-storage site in South Africa (above), which went online at the end of 2023. Image: Scatec. Africa’s energy storage market has seen a boom since 2017, having risen from just 31MWh to 1,600MWh in 2024, according to trade body AFSIA Solar’s latest report.
Designed to generate electricity for 10 hours per day through its four 250 MW turbine generators, the Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme is an energy storage facility, situated in the northern parts of the Drakensberg Mountain range of South Africa, which provides up to 27.6 GWh of electricity storage.
As South Africa continues to grapple with frequent blackouts and load shedding, these BESS projects will help mitigate risks and contribute to the country’s energy security. The Gainfar Project will be connected to the Ngwedi substation, while the Boitekong Project will be connected to the Marang substation.
Developed by Globeleq, which is 30% owned by Norfund, in partnership with African Rainbow Energy, the 153 MW/612 MWh project was signed off in June 2025 in Cape Town. It will be located in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province and occupies a five-hectare site.
The global containerized energy storage and solar container market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with commercial and industrial energy storage demand increasing by over 400% in the past three years. Containerized energy storage solutions now account for approximately 50% of all new modular energy storage installations worldwide. North America leads with 45% market share, driven by industrial power needs and commercial facility demand. Europe follows with 40% market share, where containerized energy storage systems have provided reliable electricity for manufacturing plants and commercial operations. Asia-Pacific represents the fastest-growing region at 60% CAGR, with manufacturing innovations reducing containerized energy storage system prices by 30% annually. Emerging markets are adopting containerized energy storage for industrial applications, commercial buildings, and utility projects, with typical payback periods of 1-3 years. Modern containerized energy storage installations now feature integrated systems with 500kWh to 5MWh capacity at costs below $200 per kWh for complete industrial energy solutions.
Technological advancements are dramatically improving containerized energy storage systems and solar container performance while reducing operational costs for various applications. Next-generation containerized energy storage has increased efficiency from 75% to over 95% in the past decade, while solar container costs have decreased by 80% since 2010. Advanced energy management systems now optimize power distribution and load management across containerized energy storage systems, increasing operational efficiency by 40% compared to traditional power systems. Smart monitoring systems provide real-time performance data and remote control capabilities, reducing operational costs by 50%. Battery storage integration allows containerized energy storage solutions to provide 24/7 reliable power and load optimization, increasing energy availability by 85-98%. These innovations have improved ROI significantly, with containerized energy storage projects typically achieving payback in 1-2 years and solar container systems in 2-3 years depending on usage patterns and electricity cost savings. Recent pricing trends show standard containerized energy storage (500kWh-2MWh) starting at $100,000 and large solar container systems (50kW-500kW) from $75,000, with flexible financing options including project financing and power purchase agreements available.