In June 2025, a highly anticipated cooperation signing ceremony was successfully held during the African Energy Forum. China Energy Engineering Corporation has officially signed an EPC contract with Globeleq, an independent power generation company in the UK, for the 153MW/612MWh battery energy storage project in Red Sands, South Africa. This project will become the largest single battery energy storage power station in Africa, injecting new vitality into the development of the energy sector in Africa.

The South African Red Sand 153MW/612MWh battery energy storage project is located approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Abington, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. It is one of the first independent power generation procurement plans for battery energy storage in South Africa. Its engineering content is rich and comprehensive, covering multiple key parts such as energy storage power station systems, booster stations, switch stations, substations, and supporting lines, aiming to build an efficient and stable energy storage and supply system.

Looking back at the project history, in April 2024, Globeleq's Red Sand project was awarded priority bidder status under the South African Independent Energy Storage Producers Procurement Program (ESIPPPP). After the financing closure, the project is expected to take 2 years to complete, with a total investment of approximately 300 million US dollars (5.7 billion South African rand). This massive investment not only reflects Globeleq's confidence in the project, but also demonstrates China Energy Construction's strong strength in the field of energy project construction.

Globeleq was founded in 2002 and currently has a 70% stake in British International Investment Corporation (Bll) and a 30% stake in Norwegian sovereign fund (Norfund). At the beginning of its establishment, Globeleq had a wide range of business operations in Latin America and Africa. However, in 2007, the company made a strategic adjustment by divesting all assets outside of sub Saharan Africa and focusing on investing in electricity in the sub Saharan region. In South Africa, Globeleq, as an independent power generator, owns 384 megawatts of generating assets and has successfully operated 6 photovoltaic power plants and 2 wind power plants. In addition, Globeleq also operates one photovoltaic distribution and storage power station in Cuamba, Mozambique. The Hongsha project signed with Nengjian this time is its first energy storage project in South Africa and has milestone significance.

The person in charge of Globeleq stated that the company plans to develop more energy storage power station projects in Africa in the future. This cooperation with China Energy Construction not only lays a solid foundation for the smooth progress of the Hongsha project, but also opens up vast space for further cooperation between the two sides in the African energy market. China Energy Engineering Corporation, with its rich project experience and advanced technological strength, will provide comprehensive support for the construction of projects, ensuring that they are completed on time and with high quality.

This cooperation is not only an important breakthrough for China Energy Construction in the African energy market, but also a vivid practice of cooperation between China and the UK in the energy field. With the completion of the Hongsha project, it will provide strong guarantees for the stability and reliability of energy supply in South Africa and even the entire Africa, promoting the optimization and sustainable development of Africa's energy structure. I believe that with the joint efforts of both sides, Africa's energy future will be even brighter.(This article is from the official website www.seetao.com of Jiandao. Reproduction without permission is prohibited, otherwise it will be prosecuted. Please indicate Jiandao website+original link when reprinting.) Jiandao website battery column editor/Yin Jiahui