Globeleq and African Rainbow Energy Advance 153 MW Red Sands BESS in South Africa

Globeleq, a leading independent power producer in Africa, in partnership with African Rainbow Energy, has announced the commercial close of the 153 MW / 612 MWh Red Sands Battery Energy Storage System (Red Sands BESS) in South Africa. This milestone follows the signing of key project agreements with the Department of Electricity and Energy and the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA).

Located in the Northern Cape, Red Sands BESS is now the largest standalone battery energy storage facility in Africa to reach commercial close. The project will cover approximately five hectares and includes significant upgrades to both Eskom and NTCSA’s grid infrastructure.

Red Sands BESS is a critical step toward strengthening South Africa’s energy infrastructure. By alleviating transmission and distribution congestion in the Northern Cape, the project will support a more resilient, reliable, and decarbonized power system. Jonathan Hoffman, Globeleq’s CEO commented,
“Commercial close on the Red Sands BESS is a landmark moment for Globeleq and for battery storage in Africa. It highlights our ability to deliver large-scale, clean energy infrastructure that meets the continent’s evolving power needs. Building on over a decade of renewable energy leadership in South Africa and our Cuamba solar-plus-storage plant in Mozambique, we’re integrating battery storage across our portfolio to support resilient, low-carbon power systems across Africa.”

Brian Dames, CEO of African Rainbow Energy added,
“The investment in Red Sands, in partnership with Globeleq, supports our objective to utilise modern and renewable energy technologies to provide affordable electricity in South Africa and on the African continent, whilst uplifting communities. This investment also marks the substantial progress of the R3 billion commitment we have made as part of The South African Investment Drive.”