- Envision Energy will supply a 660 MWh battery energy storage system for SOLA Group’s Naos 1 project in South Africa’s Free State.
- The project combines 300 MW of solar PV with 660 MWh of battery storage and is regarded as South Africa’s largest privately contracted hybrid renewable energy project to reach financial close.
- Electricity generated by the project will be wheeled across Eskom’s transmission network to multiple corporate customers under long term supply agreements.
Envision Energy has signed a 660 MWh battery energy storage system supply agreement with SOLA Group and construction company WBHO for the Naos 1 renewable energy project in South Africa’s Free State.
The project, located near Viljoenskroon, combines 300 MW of solar PV generation with 660 MWh of battery storage to deliver dispatchable renewable electricity to commercial and industrial customers through wheeling across Eskom’s national transmission network.
The transaction is regarded as the largest privately contracted hybrid renewable energy project to have reached financial close in South Africa, highlighting the continued growth of the country’s private electricity market.
Unlike conventional renewable energy projects that deliver electricity to a single connection point, Naos 1 will transmit power through Eskom’s grid to multiple customers located across South Africa. The wheeling model allows businesses to procure renewable electricity without being located near the generation facility.
Envision Energy will provide system design, manufacturing, operations and maintenance support throughout the project’s lifecycle. The agreement includes a 25 year long term service agreement with SOLA Group to support the operation of the battery energy storage system.
The company will also deploy its artificial intelligence driven energy management platform to optimise battery dispatch and overall system performance during the contract period.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
