A power purchase agreement (PPA) between Yellow Door Energy (YDE), an independent power producer for businesses in the Middle East and Africa, and Waterberg Boerdery, a large-scale agricultural producer, has resulted in the inauguration of a microgrid system containing a solar power plant and battery energy storage system (BESS) on Waterberg’s commercial farm in Limpopo.

The PPA will enable a risk-free method for the farm to transition to clean electricity without capital expense while reducing electricity costs in the long term. YDE is responsible for financing, designing, building, commissioning, operating and maintaining the solar plant and the hybrid system integration.

The system has solar photovoltaic capacity of 1 800 kWp and battery energy storage capacity of 2 900 kWh. It is expected to produce 3 400 MWh of clean electricity in the first year of operation, which is equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by 3,5 million kg. Over 3 200 solar panels have been installed.

“This collaboration is a strategic move towards securing our farm's energy needs. Installation of the hybrid renewable energy system not only ensures uninterrupted operations but also aligns with our commitment to sustainable farming practices and innovation in food production,” says Hans van der Walt, COO of Waterberg Boerdery.

“BESS is now becoming more economically viable and, when combined with solar power generation, it can remove reliance on the grid, which is especially relevant and enticing for South African agricultural producers wanting security of supply as well as a more sustainable operation. We are aiming to bring this solution to many more agricultural producers in the next few years,” says Forbes Padayachee, CEO of YDE South Africa.

Globally, YDE has over 240 MW of awarded solar projects spanning six countries along with 240 MW of solar wheeling capability in South Africa’s North West province.