Southern Africa Battery Energy Storage System Centre of Excellence (SABESS COE)

The overarching goal of the SABESS CoE is to promote and scale BESS deployment across Southern Africa by serving as a regional hub for data collection, analysis, training, research, and knowledge sharing from the Kanengo BESS and off-grid sector (mini-grids, institutions etc.), ultimately enabling the integration of low-cost renewables to achieve universal energy access under the M300 program.

Specific Objectives
Specifically, the centre is expected to achieve the following objectives;

1. To build technical capacity for governments, utilities, systems operators, mini grid developers and operators, research institutions, and other stakeholders aligned with country priorities.
2. To provide a network for technical data exchange and peer learning on BESS projects (both grid and off-grid), focusing on lessons learned and best practices for regional scaling across the region.
3. A platform for integration of grid and off-grid BESS into national and subnational energy plans by supporting analysis and technical assistance on policies, incentives, regulations, procurement and financing.
4. To act as a pipeline for viable grid and off-grid BESS project and foster public-private coalition to create and sustain a BESS industry ecosystem in Africa spanning BESS technology value chain.