A liability today, a hedge against Eskom tomorrow
The engineering design proves a clear path across three scenarios. Scenario A is the costly status quo; Scenario B (all-Peak BESS) is recommended for maximum benefit; Scenario C (Evening-Peak BESS) is the capital-efficient entry point. Both B and C ring-fence and self-fund the battery.
The recommendation
Full Eskom — the status quo
R212.83M/yr and rising at ~9% per annum. No displacement, no protection against tariff escalation.
All-Peak BESS — maximum benefit
711.9 MWp PV + 126.5 MWh BESS save R56.65M/yr (26.6%), rising to 42.9% by Year 10 — R1.17bn over the decade. Best where capital or an energy-services agreement supports the larger battery.
Evening BESS — phased entry
320.4 MWp PV + a smaller 54.0 MWh BESS save R28.46M/yr (13.4%) — R803.4M over a decade at under half the storage. A compelling, lower-capital first phase.
Key conclusions
Standard energy, solved
A 28.8 MWp Displacement PV array displaces all 47.71 GWh of Standard-period energy in both Scenario B and C — at a fixed, predictable R1.25/kWh.
Peak energy, neutralised
Scenario B's 126.5 MWh / 18.5 MW LFP battery displaces all Peak energy; Scenario C's 54.0 MWh battery targets the Evening Peak only — both sidestepping the R6.47/kWh tariff.
Two PV arrays, one bill
Each scenario pairs the Displacement PV with an Extra PV array (683.1 MWp in B, 291.6 MWp in C) whose surplus sales settle the BESS lease in full.
A self-funding asset
Because the ring-fenced Extra PV covers the R155,000/MWh/month battery cost, the municipality retains 100% of the arbitrage benefit.
Sustainable. Energy. Simplified.
Utility Consulting Solutions stands ready to take Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality from engineering design to a financed, regulated and constructed energy programme — rising together for development.