DMRE launches third battery storage bid round, calling for 616 MW projects in the Free State.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has announced the third Bid Window of the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPP BW 3).

The public procurement programme calls for proposals to be submitted for a total of 616 MW/2 464 MWh of battery energy storage projects. The pre-selected substation sites, located in the Free State, are Harvard, Leander, Theseus, Everest, and Merapi. The submission date for bids is July 31, 2024.

The first grid-scale private sector energy storage programme in South Africa was launched in March 2023 to assist in increasing the available grid capacity in the Northern Cape Supply Area through the utilization of energy storage.

The DMRE has also announced the extension of the bid submission date for Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme Bid Window 7 to May 30, 2024. It also approved the extension of the Bid Submission Date of BESIPPPP BW2 from April 30, 2024, to June 6, 2024.

“This was approved, taking into consideration the timelines indicated by Eskom for the processing of Cost Estimate Letters (CEL) applications as well as requests from bidders to allow for more time,” the DMRE said in a statement.