To help alleviate the pressure on its national electricity grid, South Africa has awarded two pivotal Battery Energy Storage Projects (BESS) projects through Bid Window 2 of BESIPPPP to Dubai-based AMEA Power, one of the fastest-growing renewable energy companies in the region.
The rollout of these technologies together with a disciplined execution of the country’s Generation Recovery Plan which started in March 2023, the government aims to achieve energy availability factor of 70% by end March 2025, which will provide the country with most needed electricity supply to address capacity constraints.
The Gainfar and Boitekong projects, located in the North West Province, will each have a capacity of over 300 MWh. These projects will play a vital role in strengthening the grid stability Eskom, the South African government–owned electricity public utility.
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 project reached financial close in June 2024, and it is currently under construction.
The Gainfar Project will be connected to the Ngwedi substation, while the Boitekong Project will be connected to the Marang substation. These state-of-the-art storage solutions are essential in strengthening the country’s electricity grid and supporting the transition to a more resilient and sustainable energy system.
Once operational, these two energy storage systems will provide robust, reliable backup power, enabling a stable grid and supporting South Africa’s renewable energy journey.
Major Milestone
AMEA Power Chairman Hussain Al Nowais said that this achievement is a major milestone for his company, as they continue to expand their footprint in South Africa.
He said that these two projects represent AMEA Power’s first successful awards of BESS projects, through a competitive bidding process and underscore its commitment to providing sustainable, resilient and cost-effective energy solutions. It will also support South Africa’s energy transition, enhance Eskom’s grid reliability, and drive economic growth in the region.
“With our expanding portfolio, including the 120MW Doornhoek Solar PV project, and our regional office in Johannesburg, we are dedicated to contributing to cleaner, more sustainable energy future for South Africa,” Al Nowais added.
Both projects will deliver essential power, energy, and ancillary services to Eskom through 15-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), further solidifying AMEA Power’s role in the country’s energy landscape. Once operational, these energy storage systems will provide robust, reliable backup power, enabling a stable grid and supporting South Africa’s renewable energy journey.
This announcement follows AMEA Power’s earlier success in December 2022, when the company was awarded the 120MW Doornhoek Solar PV Project through Bid Window 6 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
The PPA for this solar PV project was signed in April 2024 by South Africa’s Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe, Eskom Group Executive for Transmission Segomoco M Scheppers, and Hussain Al Nowais.
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