Eskom Holdings SOC Limited, a South African power utility, has floated a tender for a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a minimum of 80 MW/320 MWh usable capacity at South Africa’s Skaapvlei substation, in Western Cape, Vredendal.

The scope of work includes the design, engineering, supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of the system along with five years of operations and maintenance (O&M) services at the substation.

The last date for the submission of bids is September 11, 2020. Eskom has given seven months (extendable to a maximum of nine months) for the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of the BESS.

The tender said eligible bidders are expected to purchase the bidding documents for a non-refundable fee of 3,500 Rand (~$203).

The state utility said that it would conduct a site meeting on August 20, 2020, and a pre-bid clarification meeting on August 27, 2020. Bidding will be conducted through international competitive procurement using The World Bank’s regulations.

Eskom said it received financing from The World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the New Development Bank toward the cost of the Eskom Investment Support Project (EISP) and Eskom Renewables Support Project (ESRP) under which this battery energy storage system is to be implemented.

Last month, the Private Infrastructure Development Group floated a tender for the selection of owner’s engineer contract for a 32 MW solar power project in Chad. The project is the first phase of the planned 60 MW Djermaya solar project in Chad. Back in 2018, a consortium, including InfraCo Africa and Smart Energies International, had come together to develop a 60 MW solar project in the country.The project would also have a 4 MWh battery energy storage system. It will be set up near the town of Djermaya in the Hadjer-Lamis region, about 30 km north from the capital city of N’Djamena.

Last year, the Asian Development Bank announced that it would provide a $12.2 million financing for renewable energy projects in Tonga. ADB, Green Climate Fund, and the Australian government’s partnership were also to provide technical solutions, such as battery energy storage and capacity building efforts to promote more private sector investments in renewable energy.

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