City invites bids for first battery energy storage facility
16 October 2024
After turning the sod at the site of the 7 MW – 10 MW Atlantis solar photovoltaic (PV) plant last week, the City is now inviting potential tenderers to bid for Cape Town’s first ever battery energy storage facility. Interested bidders are encouraged to submit their applications for this exciting energy-diversity project by 20 November 2024.
‘Our game changing Battery Energy Storage pilot project is expertly designed to eventually incorporate new energy storage within the City’s network. The utility-scale battery storage project will target a minimum rated power output of 5 MW, and useable energy storage capacity of 8 MWh, roughly enough to power more than 300 homes with an average daily consumption of 25kWh per day. The integration of battery storage at our ground breaking Atlantis Solar PV facility makes our hybrid plant even more exciting. This initiative underscores our commitment to diversifying energy sources, enhancing sustainability, and actively working to lower electricity costs in the wake of Eskom's outrageous 44% tariff hike proposal.
‘All of these projects are in our progressive Energy Strategy and driven via our Mayoral Priority Programme for greater energy security, and more affordable and cleaner energy for Cape Town. Most of these tenders and programmes are a first-of-its-kind and our City teams are working incredibly hard in a very tough regulatory and financial environment to make our city more future-fit and to reduce our reliance on Eskom where we can. The City currently uses 75% of the tariff income from our electricity sales to buy Eskom power.
‘We invite our potential private sector partners to visit our tender portal to become part of Cape Town’s energy path,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.
What is battery storage?
Battery storage systems are increasingly important as more renewable energy comes onto the grid.
These systems enable the energy generated from solar or wind, for instance, to be stored until the energy is needed and used. These systems add to security and reliability of supply.
End Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
