Proposed Lengana Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and Associated Infrastructure near Excelsior, Free State Province

The Applicant, Lengana BESS (RF) (Pty) Ltd, is proposing the installation and establishment of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and associated infrastructure to accommodate the storage of energy. The associated infrastructure includes an on-site substation, a 132 kV single circuit/ double circuit overhead power line, roads, operation and maintenance buildings, fencing and other auxiliary infrastructure, that will ultimately connect the Lengana BESS to the existing Eskom Merapi Substation. The capacity of the BESS will be up to 123 MW / 880 MWh and is proposed to be bid as part of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) bid window 3 for the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP). The development is proposed on Portion 1 of the Farm De Hoop No. 1547, situated within the Mantsopa Local Municipality. The city of Excelsior (centre) is located approximately 4.2 km northwest of the proposed development, just outside of the urban area.
Based on the site-specific SSVRs conducted by the independent specialists, it is verified that the proposed Lengana BESS development is situated entirely within areas confirmed as low or medium sensitivity in accordance with the criteria outlined in the Norm for the Exclusion of the Development and Expansion of Battery Energy Storage Facilities in Areas of Low or Medium Environmental Sensitivity (GN 4557 of 2024). Therefore, the proposed Lengana BESS and Associated Infrastructure development can be registered and does not require Environmental Authorisation in terms of the EIA Regulations, 2014, as amended.

Province(s): Free State