South Africa’s HEX Battery Project Shows How Scalable Energy Storage Can Power Africa
South Africa’s HEX Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is demonstrating how large-scale energy storage can stabilise power supply and support economic activity across Africa, offering a practical model for replication on the continent.
Located in Worcester in the Western Cape, the HEX BESS is Africa’s first utility-scale battery energy storage facility of its kind. The project enables up to five uninterrupted hours of electricity by storing excess wind and solar power and releasing it during peak demand, helping eliminate load shedding and improve grid reliability.
The facility delivers 20 megawatts of power with a storage capacity of 100 megawatt-hours, supporting farms, factories and processing plants that collectively demand about 16 megawatts each morning. By capturing surplus wind energy generated at night and dispatching it at dawn, the system balances supply and demand when economic activity begins.
Implemented by Eskom in partnership with Hyosung Heavy Industries, the project represents a major milestone in South Africa’s energy transition. It was supported by a US$57.67 million concessional co-investment from the Clean Technology Fund, channelled through the African Development Bank.
Eskom officials say the technology was new not only to South Africa but to the continent, making HEX a learning ground for future projects. In addition to the Worcester site, similar facilities have been developed in Graafwater and Paleisheuwel, further strengthening energy resilience in the Western Cape.
For local farmers, reliable electricity is essential. Dairy producers in Worcester rely on consistent power to maintain strict feeding and milking schedules, and the end of load shedding has brought stability to agricultural operations that underpin the local economy.
Beyond technical performance, the project has prioritised local employment, support for small and medium enterprises, and community investment, reinforcing its socio-economic impact.
Energy specialists say the success of HEX is already influencing policy across Africa, with several countries now incorporating battery energy storage systems into their national energy plans. Eskom has since established a new renewable-focused division to expand the use of clean energy paired with battery storage.
With proven feasibility, reduced risk and strong development impact, the HEX Battery Energy Storage System is increasingly seen as a blueprint for how Africa can scale clean, reliable and resilient energy solutions.
