Envision Energy Takes a Major Step with South Africa's Largest Energy Storage Contract

Envision Energy's Landmark Contract in South Africa

Envision Energy, a prominent player in the renewable energy sector, has made headlines by securing the largest energy storage order in South Africa's history. This landmark agreement is a collaboration with the EDF Group to supply a staggering total of three battery energy storage systems (BESS) for the Oasis 1 project cluster. Together, these systems will provide a formidable capacity of 257 megawatts (MW) and a remarkable 1028 megawatt-hours (MWh) of storage.

This initiative is a critical component of South Africa's pioneering Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP). The EDF Group, alongside its partners with local equity involvement, has successfully triumphed in securing three essential projects located in the Northern Cape Province. Specifically, the projects in question are the Oasis Aggeneis, Oasis Mookodi, and Oasis Nieuwehoop power plants. Notably, each of these projects guarantees a 5% ownership stake for local communities through a Community Trust, reflecting a commitment to community engagement and development.

The Financial Close for this project was achieved on November 20, 2024, setting a timeline for operational readiness by the close of 2026. Envision Energy, as the chosen supplier, will provide an extensive suite of energy storage equipment. This includes both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) systems, complete with strategic SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and EMS (Energy Management System) infrastructures. The DC aspect will consist of Envision's standard 20-foot, 5 MWh storage units, powered by highly efficient, safe 315Ah cells. To maintain the systems, Envision will also extend comprehensive lifecycle operation and maintenance services for a period of 15 years.

Kane Xu, Senior Vice President and President of International Product Lines at Envision Energy, expressed enthusiasm for this achievement, emphasizing that battery storage technology is fundamental to realizing sustainable energy systems. He stated, “We are thrilled to contribute our leading technology to this milestone project in South Africa. Once operational, this initiative will tackle the pressing issue of load management within South Africa’s current power grid, bolster grid stability, and lessen the dependency on coal-fired power plants.”

The impact of this monumental project extends far beyond its physical infrastructure. As South Africa's largest energy storage initiative, it promises to significantly contribute to the nation’s power reliability and sustainability, helping to ease grid congestion, promote the integration of renewable energy sources, and participate in energy arbitrage and ancillary services. This effort is pivotal for South Africa's progressive transition towards a low-carbon energy structure and supports national ambitions to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2050.

EDF Group, which stands as the world’s largest nuclear operator and a leader in global power generation, continues to invest in expanding its renewable energy capacity. With a target to reach 60 gigawatts (GW) of net renewable capacity by 2030, the partnership with Envision is a testament to this goal.

Envision Energy has gained recognition as a key provider of advanced energy storage solutions, celebrated for the superior quality of its batteries, their intelligent designs, and the rapid deployment capabilities of these systems. Backed by full-stack technical expertise, in-house research, and manufacturing initiatives, Envision maintains substantial control over the entire lifecycle of its products, from creation to deployment, and including comprehensive asset management to promote safe, stable, and innovative energy solutions.

As of late 2023, Envision has established a footprint across the globe with over 200 BESS projects completed, delivering in excess of 15 GWh while securing an additional 25 GWh in active orders. In recognition of its leadership and innovation in the energy storage market, Envision Energy was awarded the Tier 1 designation as a Global Energy Storage Manufacturer by Bloomberg NEF for three consecutive quarters in 2024. This positions Envision as a top contender in the global energy storage industry, setting benchmarks for future projects worldwide.