Globeleq, a prominent independent power producer in Africa, and Sungrow, a major global provider of PV inverters and energy storage, are pleased to announce the signing of a 15-year long-term service term sheet and a BESS supply agreement for the 153MW / 612MWh Red Sands BESS project in South Africa.
The Red Sands BESS project, which is situated in the Northern Cape, roughly 100 kilometers southeast of Upington, is a component of South Africa’s first Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP). In Africa, it will be the biggest independent battery energy storage system.
Red Sands BESS will connect to the grid via the Eskom Garona substation and occupy about 5 hectares (12 acres). By providing vital services like load shifting and grid stability, easing the integration of renewable energy sources, and resolving persistent issues with energy supply, the project is ideally situated to serve South Africa’s power system.
The signed term sheet guarantees long-term dependability, efficiency, and optimal project performance. Sungrow will supply its cutting-edge PowerTitan 2.0 liquid-cooled energy storage system and offer full Operations & Maintenance (O&M) services under a 15-year contract with Globeleq’s Red Sands BESS project.
It is anticipated that the Red Sands BESS project will start operations in 2027 after reaching financial close in 2025.
Paolo de Michelis Globeleq’s Head of Renewables stated, “We are excited to sign the Supply and 15-year Long Term Service Agreement term sheets with Sungrow for our 153MW/612MWh Red Sands BESS project in South Africa, the largest stand-alone battery energy storage project in Sub-Saharan Africa to date. Developing BESS projects involves navigating complex challenges and requires a strategic long-term commitment from all project partners to ensure the project’s success. Sungrow’s track record in South Africa, high-quality technology and competitiveness will be instrumental in overcoming these challenges and delivering a reliable project and stable grid.”
