A three-step scalability plan
The engineering design is complete. Scaling it into reality is deliberately simple — secure the funding, identify the deployment sites, and deploy. Each step builds the foundation for a bankable, self-funding energy programme.
Scalability plan
Secure Funding
Lock in capital or a long-term energy services agreement to underwrite the recommended Scenario B design. Because the BESS lease is ring-fenced and self-funded by dedicated Extra PV, the programme is structured to be bankable from day one.
Identify Deployment Sites
Assess and confirm PV and BESS sites across the nine Eskom bulk supply points, prioritising Graaff-Reinet, which accounts for 78.9% of total consumption and anchors the first phase of the rollout.
Deploy
Execute the build — grid impact studies, NERSA / Section 34 approvals, EPC procurement and commissioning — scaling capacity in line with funding to convert the engineering design into realised savings.
The long-term prize
Locking in renewable energy costs today protects the municipality against decades of above-inflation Eskom escalation.
10-year cost trajectory — A vs B vs C
Eskom escalates at ~9%/yr while PV + BESS costs grow at only ~6%/yr (R millions/yr).
Savings per year over 10 years
The annual bill saving delivered by each scenario versus staying fully on Eskom (Scenario A), in R millions.
| Year | Scenario B savingAll-Peak BESS | Scenario C savingEvening BESS |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | R 56.64M | R 28.46M |
| Year 2 | R 66.43M | R 36.55M |
| Year 3 | R 77.38M | R 45.71M |
| Year 4 | R 89.61M | R 56.04M |
| Year 5 | R 103.25M | R 67.66M |
| Year 6 | R 118.45M | R 80.74M |
| Year 7 | R 135.38M | R 95.40M |
| Year 8 | R 154.22M | R 111.84M |
| Year 9 | R 175.15M | R 130.23M |
| Year 10 | R 198.37M | R 150.75M |
| 10-year total | R 1174.88M | R 803.38M |
Annual saving = the Eskom-only cost (Scenario A) less each scenario's projected cost, with Eskom escalating at ~9%/yr and PV + BESS costs at ~6%/yr. Savings widen every year as the gap compounds.