Sungrow to supply EDF Renewables' first hybrid wind-solar-battery VPP in South Africa

Sungrow, the global leading PV inverter and energy storage system supplier, signed a supply agreement with French renewable energy group EDF Renewables, to provide 264 MWh of liquid-cooled energy storage systems and MV transformers for the Umoyilanga project – South Africa’s first wind-solar-storage integrated virtual power plant (VPP).

EDF Renewables, and privately held investment company Perpetua Holdings (Pty) Ltd, won the Umoyilanga project bid in the South African Government’s Risk Mitigation IPP Procurement Programme (RMI4P), in March 2021. After being connected to the grid, it will help to alleviate South Africa’s power crisis, improve the stability of the energy supply, and provide a demonstration of the development of renewable energy in South Africa.

According to estimates, after the project is connected to the grid, it will generate nearly 400 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity every year, which can meet the annual electricity consumption of 120,000 households.

As one of the world’s largest power supply service providers, EDF Renewables has previously cooperated with Sungrow on multiple projects around the world, including the Al Dhafra 1.5 GW photovoltaic project in the United Arab Emirates, etc., covering a wide range of mainstream clean energy projects in Europe, America, the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and more within the global energy market.

This time, EDF Renewables has contracted Sungrow to supply the energy storage systems and MV transformers for South Africa’s first integrated wind, solar, and storage virtual power plant. The Umoyilanga project consists of two separate plants. One is a solar-plus-storage plant located in Avondale, and another is a wind-plus-storage plant located in Dassieridge, which are 900 kilometers apart.

“This project is EDF Renewables’ first integrated wind, solar, and storage project to be launched in Africa, which is a milestone for us. We are very pleased to cooperate with Sungrow again to bring industry-leading innovative liquid-cooled storage to this groundbreaking virtual power plant project,” said Tristan de Drouas, CEO of EDF Renewables in South Africa.

“The energy system PowerTitan ensures efficient power generation and smooth operation of the power station. It is foreseeable that the project will help to optimize South Africa’s energy structure and improve the local quality of life.”

“We are grateful for EDF Renewables continued trust and support. After the completion of this South Africa project, it will surely become a regional demonstration project, leading the development of the industry. Sungrow will ensure on-time delivery of the project and safe and reliable operation of the system during the entire life cycle of the power plant,” said Phyllis Yang, Head of Sungrow Southern Africa.