Envision Energy has secured a contract to provide a 660MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) for the Naos-1 hybrid renewable energy project in South Africa, partnering with renewable energy developer SOLA Group and construction firm WBHO.
Located near Viljoenskroon in the Free State province, Naos-1 combines 300MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity with large-scale battery storage to deliver reliable renewable electricity to commercial and industrial customers. The project has achieved financial close and is regarded as the largest privately contracted hybrid renewable energy development in South Africa to reach this milestone.
Unlike conventional renewable energy projects that supply power through a single grid connection, Naos-1 is designed around a wheeling model. This allows electricity generated at the site to be transmitted through Eskom’s national transmission network to multiple corporate offtakers across the country, enabling businesses to access renewable power regardless of their location.
READ: Egypt to develop first wind turbine factory
Scope of deal
Under the agreement, Envision Energy will provide end-to-end technical support covering the design, manufacturing, operation, and maintenance of the battery storage system. The company will also integrate its AI-driven energy management platform to optimise battery performance, improve operational efficiency, and enhance system safety throughout the project’s lifecycle.
The partnership includes a 25-year long-term service agreement (LTSA) between Envision Energy and SOLA Group, providing ongoing operational support and reinforcing the long-term reliability of the energy storage installation. John Lee, General Manager for Asia and Africa Markets at Envision Energy, said the project demonstrates the growing role of integrated renewable energy and storage solutions in delivering dependable, flexible electricity while supporting the transition to cleaner energy systems.
Ian Burger, Managing Director of SOLA Build, said Naos-1 represents a new generation of renewable infrastructure designed to meet the evolving needs of South Africa’s electricity market. He added that collaboration with technology providers such as Envision Energy will help expand private-sector participation while strengthening the country’s energy resilience.
The project also reflects the continued growth of South Africa’s private renewable energy market following regulatory reforms that allow independent power producers to supply electricity directly to commercial and industrial customers. By combining utility-scale solar generation with battery storage under a private wheeling arrangement, Naos-1 illustrates how large-scale renewable energy projects are increasingly attracting private investment without relying on government-backed procurement programmes.
With a storage capacity of 660MWh, the Naos-1 battery system is slightly larger than the 612MWh Red Sands BESS project, although the two developments operate under different commercial models. While Red Sands supplies the national transmission operator through a government procurement framework, Naos-1 is structured to provide renewable electricity directly to private corporate customers under long-term commercial agreements. The agreement marks an important step in Envision Energy’s expansion across the African renewable energy sector while reinforcing South Africa’s position as one of the continent’s fastest-growing markets for large-scale battery storage and hybrid renewable energy projects.
