Written By: Faith Jemosop
For over a decade, South Africans have lived with the uncertainty of power outages, an unpredictable rhythm of productivity disrupted by rolling blackouts. Load shedding isn’t just inconvenient; it’s a multi-billion-rand economic drain that affects hospitals, schools, small businesses, and daily life.
But as Eskom battles to stabilize its aging coal fleet and meet energy demands, a new solution is gaining ground: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). These grid-scale batteries, capable of storing renewable energy and dispatching it on demand, may be the country’s best shot at ending load shedding.
Could this technology be the tipping point? Let’s explore five powerful ways battery storage could stop load shedding in South Africa by 2026.
1. Can fast‑response BESS fill gaps during peak demand?
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can respond in milliseconds, unlike coal or gas plants that take minutes to hours. Eskom recently turned on the Hex BESS in Worcester, a 20 MW/100 MWh system offering around five hours of energy for a town the size of Mossel Bay.
By 2026, phase 1 will roll out 199 MW/833 MWh, and phase 2 will bring 144 MW/616 MWh, totaling around 1,440 MWh . This scale can bridge critical evening demand peaks, significantly reducing load-shedding events.
2. Can BESS stabilize frequency and voltage on the grid?
South Africa’s grid has long suffered from instability: coal plants’ energy availability dropped from ~94% in 2002 to ~67% in 2019, a big contributor to load-shedding .
BESS delivers grid services like frequency regulation, peak shaving, and reserve power. The CSIR’s stance is clear: batteries strengthen grid stability and make renewables viable .
3. Could BESS offer a cheaper alternative to diesel peaker plants?
Eskom relied on expensive diesel turbines to fill supply shortfalls, costing taxpayers billions . However, Meridian Economics finds that commercial and industrial users already benefit from behind-the-meter batteries under variable tariffs .
Globally, solar-plus-storage has become cheaper than gas peaker plants, and modeling suggests grid-scale batteries offer similar savings while cutting emissions and deployment time .
4. Could community and IPP‑led storage reduce pressure on Eskom?
Beyond Eskom’s utility-scale rollout, private IPPs are stepping in. Notably, AMEA Power won two 300 MWh reservoirs in the North West province under South Africa’s BESIPPPP .
Additionally, Round 3 awarded Mulilo 493 MW/1,972 MWh under 15‑year PPAs . By 2026, these projects, alongside Eskom’s, could add nearly 3,000 MWh of storage, distributing resilience and reducing load-shedding triggers.
5. Can storage-linked solar shorten load‑shedding windows?
BESS is far more impactful when paired with renewables. For instance, the Kenhardt Solar Complex in the Northern Cape integrates 1,140 MWh storage, delivering stable 150 MW output for 16.5 hours daily.
Within Eskom’s own Hex project, the second phase will include 60 MW solar capacity, using off‑peak charging and wind farms to store energy for peak discharge .
The Numbers Behind the Promise
- South Africa lost a staggering R2.899 trillion in 2023 due to load-shedding, though improved Eskom performance has cut that by ~83% in 2024 (~R300 billion).
- Eskom’s energy availability has climbed to 61.3%, up from 54.3% .
- Variables like Peak Shaving and Reserve Power from BESS can reduce reliance on expensive diesel and spur improved plant maintenance schedules .
Why 2026 is a Turning Point
- By end-2025: Phase 1 (~833 MWh) comes online.
- By 2026: Phase 2 (~616 MWh) completes, plus IPP projects add significant capacity.
- Complemented by battery-enabled solar, off-peak charging strategies, and internationally funded transitions (World Bank, AfDB) , the technical capability to halt load-shedding becomes feasible.
Cities like Cape Town are already preparing, targeting 650 MW of IPP supply by 2026, enough to eliminate Stages 1–4 locally .
Potential Hurdles and Monitoring Needs
- Financial constraints: Eskom’s debt is high. Its current annual loss (~R15 billion) may ease if consistent performance is maintained.
- Just transition: In coal towns like Komati, ensuring that new energy projects create local employment is essential .
- Infrastructure requirements: New BESS requires upgraded transmission and distribution networks and skilled technicians.
Also read: How South Africa’s Coal Dependency Is Devastating Its Economy
Is 2026 the End of Load‑shedding?
Battery storage won’t “solve” load-shedding alone, but it could make load‑shedding rare. Here’s why:
- Rapid dispatch: Millisecond response bridges supply-demand mismatches.
- Cost efficiency: Lower reliance on diesel, cheaper than peaker plants.
- Distributed impact: IPPs and municipal projects spread resilience.
- Renewable synergy: Storage unlocks full value from solar and wind.
- Grid stability: Frequency and voltage support bolster Eskom’s aging coal fleet.
If all BESS projects launch on schedule and are complemented by smart grid and solar deployment, large-scale load-shedding may be largely eliminated by 2026. However, this hinges on maintaining timelines, securing funds, monitoring grid health, and ensuring community benefits alongside infrastructure upgrades.
