- 216 MW solar plant paired with 500 MWh battery storage in Northern Cape.
- More than two years between preferred bidder award in 2021 and financial close in 2023.
- 75 MW of dispatchable power to be supplied daily under 20 year Eskom PPA.
TotalEnergies, in partnership with Hydra Storage Holding and Reatile Renewables, has inaugurated the Hydra project in South Africa’s Northern Cape after a prolonged development and financing process.
The project was named a preferred bidder under South Africa’s Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme in March 2021, but only reached financial close in December 2023. This gap of more than two years reflects the complexity of structuring hybrid renewable projects that combine generation with large scale battery storage.
Following financial close, the consortium was able to finalise a 20 year power purchase agreement with Eskom and proceed with construction of the facility.
The project integrates a 216 MW solar photovoltaic plant with a 500 MWh battery energy storage system, supporting South Africa’s Just Energy Transition efforts to decarbonise the national economy.
Once fully operational, the facility will deliver 75 MW of dispatchable renewable electricity to the national grid between 5:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily. It is expected to generate more than 400 GWh of electricity annually.
Magali Pailhé, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Southern Africa, said the project strengthens energy security while expanding renewable capacity in Africa’s largest electricity market.
The Hydra project is owned by a consortium comprising TotalEnergies with 35%, Hydra Storage Holding with 35%, and Reatile Renewables with 30%. It forms part of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.
Hydra Storage Holding is a South African renewable energy developer and independent power producer whose shareholders have delivered more than 1 GW of projects across the country.
Reatile Renewables, part of Reatile Group, focusses on energy investments across Africa, with a portfolio spanning gas, fuel storage and renewable energy, including wind, solar and battery assets.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
