EDF breaks ground on 1 GWh of South African batteries

The Cape Town-based Power Solutions business of French state-owned energy giant EDF has announced the start of construction of the three BESS awarded to it in the first round of South Africa’s Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.

Work has begun at the three sites in the Northern Cape, which make up the 257 MW/1,028 MWh Oasis 1 portfolio being developed by EDF Power Solutions and renewables developers Mulilo, based in Cape Town, and Johannesburg-based Pele Green Power, as well as Johannesburg-headquartered engineer Gibb.

EDF on Monday used its LinkedIn social media profile to announce construction has begun at the 77 MW/308 MWh sites in Mookodi and Aggeneis, and at the 103 MW/412 MWh project in Nieuwehoop, with groundbreaking ceremonies held at all three locations in September.

The power company said work to date included “the establishment of temporary site facilities; removal of vegetation; clearing and grubbing, topsoil removal; excavations; backfilling and compaction; [and] concrete works” ahead of the laying of foundations to hold the BESS.

The sites, which will each hold a 15-year power purchase agreement signed by state-owned utility Eskom, are due to be operational before December 2026, as reported by ESS News in November.

The two smaller BESS were developed to ready-to-build status by German renewables company ABO Energy before being acquired by EDF.

The French power company and its partners borrowed around ZAR 7 billion ($405 million) from South African lenders Standard Bank and ABSA to finance the Oasis 1 sites.