Key points
- The government plans to procure 5 GW of gas-fired capacity and 4.6 GW of battery storage.
- The plan is the first allocation under the IRP 2025, which targets over 105 GW of new capacity by 2039.
- Three battery storage bid windows have so far procured 513 MW, 615 MW and 616 MW.
South Africa’s government plans to start a procurement process for 5 GW of gas-fired power capacity and 4.6 GW of battery energy storage systems, the first allocations under the country’s Integrated Resource Plan 2025.
The plan aims to add over 105 GW of new capacity by 2039, including 25 GW of solar. However, gas-fired plants and storage are seen as priorities to meet immediate supply needs, with batteries central to reducing curtailment of renewable output.
The Ministry of Electricity and Energy unveiled the additional capacity for the 2026 to 2037 planning horizon. “The proposed 4,600 MW allocation will substantially expand the procurement of storage services,” it said.
Gas to complement storage
The ministry said the 5 GW gas allocation will complement storage by “providing dispatchable electricity when renewable output falls, or demand rises.” As a result, gas plants would back up solar and wind while batteries smooth supply.
Storage track record
South Africa’s first battery storage bid window selected five projects totaling 513 MW. All entered construction by June 2025 and drew ZAR15.4 billion ($932 million) in investment. Since then, two more bid windows have procured 615 MW and 616 MW. Consequently, the new 4.6 GW allocation would be a major step up in scale.
