Eskom and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have signed a R125 million grant agreement to support Eskom’s Tubatse Pumped Storage System (PSS) project in Limpopo, which Infrastructure South Africa has identified as a top priority. The Tubatse PSS, described as a “mega installation,” will have a generation capacity of 1.5 GW and a storage capacity of 21 GWh, aimed at strengthening South Africa’s renewable energy infrastructure.
Eskom plans to develop the project through a Public-Private Partnership, beginning with a feasibility study in early 2026. Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane stated that the project will contribute to South Africa’s shift towards a low-carbon economy, supporting national energy security and sustainability goals.
Large-scale facilities like Tubatse are essential for managing the variability of renewable energy sources, such as wind and photovoltaic (PV) solar power,” he emphasized on Thursday. “Without the support of pump storage systems, integrating these intermittent sources would be a significant challenge.”
Marokane added, “In the next three years, we aim to implement at least 2GW of clean energy projects. This diverse mix will include solar PV, wind, hydro, gas, nuclear, and pump storage, creating a more resilient and sustainable energy landscape.”
