The Integrated Resource Plan released in August 2018 calls for a significant increase in renewable energy. To support the increase in intermittent resources, South Africa’s state-owned utility Eskom has unveiled its Distributed Battery Storage Program and environmental and social management framework study (ESMF), committing to solar-plus-storage and energy storage projects totaling 1,400MWh. The plan calls for storage in all nine provinces and has two phases of development and construction.

Phase 1: 800MWh of battery energy storage will be deployed along distribution sites operated by Eskom in Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal at various points. These projects are scheduled for completion by December 2019.

Phase 2: 640MWh of battery energy storage will be deployed in combination with 60MW of distributed solar PV, scheduled for completion by December 2021.

Ms. Magubane will discuss these plans and their progress to develop energy storage facilities to support renewable energy.