The Proposed Belle Battery Energy Storage System and Associated Infrastructure near Polokwane, Limpopo Province

The Applicant, Belle BESS (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 BESS is proposed to have a capacity of up to 150 MW. The associated infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, an on-site substation; roads, fencing, laydown area; and an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) buildings. The proposed Belle BESS is proposed to be bid as part of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) bid window for the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP). The development area of up to 13.5 ha has been identified for assessment for the proposed development and will be located on Remaining Extent of the Farm Bellevue No. 424, Registration Division LS, situated within the Makhado Local Municipality, Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province. The proposed Belle BESS is located approximately 67 km north from central Polokwane.

The Belle BESS will save and store excess energy during periods of low demand and will provide energy to the national grid during high demand periods.

The proposed Belle BESS and Associated Infrastructure will include the following infrastructure:

• Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), of up to 150 MW/MWh, required for the storage of excess energy / electricity (including containers, Power Conversion System (PCS), auxiliary transformers and backup generators, crane pads and mats, and a reference weather station), located within an approximately 13.5 ha area.
• An up to 220 m wide and 105 m long LILO grid connection corridor has been identified for assessment.
• On-site substation hub and associated infrastructure (such as substation, transformation infrastructure, collector infrastructure, step-up infrastructure, etc.).
• Supporting infrastructure is required in the form of auxiliary buildings (including basic services such as water and electricity). These include Operations & Maintenance (O&M) building, weather station, storage facility, offices, security control, and a laydown area.
• Site access roads will be up to 10 m wide while internals access and perimeter roads will be up to 6 m wide.
• Temporary and permanent laydown areas.
• For safety and security reasons, the facility will be required to be fenced off from the surrounding farms, with a fence height of approximately 3.5 metres.
Province(s): Limpopo