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October 17, 2024

Mulilo reaches Commercial close on its first of three Oasis BESS projects.

17 October 2024 - Mulilo Renewable Project Development (Mulilo), in partnership with EDF International, has reached Commercial Close on the Oasis Mookodi BESS project under the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP).

The Oasis Mookodi BESS Project is the first in the portfolio of three Oasis projects to reach Commercial Close, with Oasis Aggeneis and Oasis Nieuwehoop soon to follow in November. All three projects are scheduled for Financial Close and commencement of construction in November 2024. The three projects will reach their Commercial Operations Dates in October 2026. 

This is a significant milestone for Mulilo to reach a Commercial Close in the BESS space, including the signing of the Power Purchase Agreement and Implementation Agreement by Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa, who represents the Department of Electricity and Energy, and the project Sponsors.

Oasis Mookodi is a 77 MWAC /308 MWh BESS project in the Vryburg area of the North-West Province and expands Mulilo’s existing projects which consist of 6 operational sites comprising 420 MW of both wind and solar PV farms.

Mulilo CEO, Jan Fourie said: “This is a significant milestone for Mulilo introducing BESS into our existing portfolio. We are cementing our position as a diversified IPP in South Africa, with the competency and depth of experience to address the country's energy needs”

BESS projects like this are critical for South Africa's electricity generation fleet to increase the country's integration of variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind. BESS stabilises the grid by storing excess energy during low demand periods and releasing it during peak demand, effectively mitigating load shedding and enhancing grid reliability.

Fourie said: "The Oasis projects are three of the first five BESS projects awarded under the BESIPPPP program to support the national grid. Implementations of technologies like these are essential for safeguarding the future of the South African energy landscape"

With a combined capacity of 257 MW/1,028 MWh, the three projects will be located in the Northern Cape and North West Provinces, providing cost-effective and efficient storage to bolster the country's electricity grid. The projects will operate under a 15-year power purchase agreement with Eskom.