TotalEnergies has initiated the construction of a substantial hybrid renewables project in South Africa. The project encompasses a 216MW solar plant and a 500MWh battery storage system, strategically designed to manage the intermittency of solar production.
Situated in the Northern Cape province, the facility is poised to supply dispatchable renewable electricity to the national grid for two decades, equating to an annual output exceeding 400GWh. In a significant advancement, a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed in November outlines that, facilitated by the storage system, the project will deliver 75MW of dispatchable power continuously to the national utility Eskom from 5am to 9.30pm, surpassing the available sunshine hours.
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The consortium behind the project comprises TotalEnergies (35%), Hydra Storage Holding (35%), and a Black Economic Empowerment Entity (B-BBEE) partner, Reatile Renewables (30%). Achieving financial close on December 14, the project is slated for operational status in 2025, aligning with the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme initiated by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
Vincent Stoquart, Senior Vice President of Renewables at TotalEnergies, expressed enthusiasm for the launch of this significant solar power generation and storage initiative in South Africa. He highlighted the innovative hybrid design, emphasizing its capacity to supply continuous green electricity beyond typical sunshine hours.
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Stoquart stated, “This project will not only contribute to the country's energy transition but also to strengthening the resilience of its power system.”
The project underscores TotalEnergies' commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and supporting South Africa's efforts to address electricity supply constraints while contributing to the nation's broader energy transition objectives.
