Three Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS, were launched on Thursday, 29 May 2025, in George.
The newly constructed BESS stations, are situated at the George Municipality’s main building on York Street.
Speaking about this milestone, Jackie von Brandis said the project highlights the City’s commitment to integrate innovative and sustainable energy solutions into its municipal grid.
“The construction of these three BESS stations marks a significant step in optimising energy consumption. This initiative demonstrates our continued pursuit of energy efficiency and sustainability for the City of George.”
The BESS units were designed to complement the existing grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) solar systems, within the municipal infrastructure.
Daniel Greeff, Deputy Director for Planning and Design in the Electrotechnical Services Department, said “these systems are strategically distributed according to local energy demand. A 1MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is paired with a 400kWp photovoltaic (PV) solar system at the Outeniqua Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW); a 400kWh BESS is integrated with a 500kWp PV solar system at the Gwaing WWTW; and a 1.6MWh BESS is connected to a 300kWp PV solar system at the Municipal Main Offices near the Civic Centre.”
Greeff also said the project’s primary motivation, was to address the high operational costs of diesel generators during loadshedding and unplanned outages. It was implemented subsequent to a feasibility study.
Two of the three BESS systems are already operational and at the practical completion stage.
The project cost the Municipality about R30 million.
Picture: Front row, from left: Daniel Greeff (Deputy Director of Planning & Design Electro in the ElectroTechnical Services), Aphiwe Matiwane (Network Planning Engineer of Planning & Design Electro in the ElectroTechnical Services), Michael Rhode (Director of Electrotechnical Services), Ald Jackie von Brandis (Executive Mayor of George), Cllr Donovan Gultig (MMC for Electrotechnical Services) and Boetie Groenewald (Electrician at VE Reticulation)
Back Row from left: Carlo van Wyk (CVW Consulting Engineers), Herman Piek (Eya-Bantu) and Siyabonga Noyakaza (CVW Consulting Engineers)