At 4:47 a.m. in Worcester, South Africa, farmer Pieter Loubser starts his day. On his dairy farm, milking and feeding must happen at the same time every day. In the past, this routine was often disturbed by South Africa’s frequent power cuts, known as load shedding. Today, however, his farm runs smoothly because of a new battery storage project that keeps electricity flowing even when the grid is under pressure.
The project is called HEX and is described as Africa’s first utility-scale battery energy storage system. Located near Worcester, the facility has a capacity of 100 megawatt-hours. It works like a large energy reservoir. When electricity demand is low, especially at night, and wind generation is high, the system stores excess renewable energy. Later, when demand rises in the early morning, the stored power is released back into the grid.
This system plays an important role in supporting the local industry. Worcester’s economy depends heavily on wine farms, dairy farms, and related businesses. Together, they require around 16 megawatts of power during peak operations. The HEX battery ensures this demand can be met without sudden interruptions. By allowing electricity to flow both into and out of the battery, the system helps stabilize the grid and reduce the impact of outages.
The project was implemented by Eskom in partnership with Hyosung Heavy Industries. It includes more than 360 lithium-ion battery units designed to operate safely and efficiently. Financial support came through a $57.67 million investment from the Clean Technology Fund, which was channeled via the African Development Bank. This funding helped make the large-scale project possible.
Beyond its technical benefits, the project also focused on community development. Eskom hired local workers and supported small businesses during construction and installation. This approach ensured that the project not only strengthened power supply but also contributed to local income and skills development.
The HEX facility is now being viewed as a model for other African countries. Energy experts and engineers from different parts of the world have visited the site to study its design, safety standards, and procurement process. Its success has shown that large-scale battery storage can work effectively in the African environment.
Eskom has also launched a new division called Eskom Green to expand renewable energy and storage projects. By storing electricity when it is available and releasing it when needed most, South Africa aims to reduce load shedding and build a more reliable power system. For farmers like Loubser, this simply means daily work can continue without disruption.
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