South Africa: Totalenergies Launches Construction Of A 216 Mw Solar Plant With Battery Storage

By Author: Arina Smith
Total Articles: 185
Comment this article

TotalEnergies, in collaboration with partners Hydra Storage Holding and Reatile Renewables, has commenced the construction of a significant hybrid renewables project in South Africa. The project features a 216 MW solar plant and a 500 MWh battery storage system, addressing the intermittency of solar power generation. Situated in the Northern Cape province, the facility will provide dispatchable renewable electricity to the South African national grid for two decades, generating over 400 GWh annually. Through a Power Purchase Agreement signed in November, the storage system will contribute 75 MW of dispatchable power to the national utility Eskom continuously from 5 a.m. to 9.30 p.m., surpassing the available sunshine hours.

This initiative is part of the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, aiming to boost electricity generation capacity and mitigate the country's power supply constraints. The consortium, with TotalEnergies holding a 35% stake, has achieved financial close on December 14, targeting operational status in 2025.

Vincent ...
... Stoquart, Senior Vice President of Renewables at TotalEnergies, expressed enthusiasm for the project's innovative hybrid design, enabling the supply of continuous green electricity beyond sunlight hours. TotalEnergies is actively working toward its net-zero goal by 2050, focusing on a diverse and cost-competitive portfolio, including renewables and flexible assets like storage and combined-cycle gas turbines.

As of the end of 2023, TotalEnergies boasts a gross renewable electricity generation capacity of 22 GW, with plans to expand to 35 GW by 2025 and achieve over 100 TWh of net electricity production by 2030. The company emphasizes sustainability, affordability, and accessibility in its global multi-energy operations.

TotalEnergies issues a cautionary note, highlighting its commitment to sustainability while acknowledging the uncertainties associated with forward-looking information. The company, along with its subsidiaries, remains dedicated to updating the public on its progress and addressing risk factors that may impact financial results or activities.

Hydro Storage Holding (HSH), a developer owned by former Mulilo shareholders, plays a crucial role in the project. Additionally, the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) program is part of the initiative, aiming to address historical inequalities and promote economic integration within the South African black community.