Energy Vault and Eskom Partner to Deploy Gravity Energy Storage in South Africa
Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NRGV), a leading provider of sustainable energy storage and AI-enabled infrastructure solutions, has announced a strategic development agreement with Eskom Holdings SOC Limited, South Africa’s state-owned electricity utility, to deploy advanced gravity-based energy storage systems across the country and potentially throughout the wider Southern African region.
The partnership marks a major milestone for the energy transition in Africa, combining Energy Vault’s innovative long-duration gravity energy storage technology with Eskom’s extensive operational experience and regional electricity infrastructure. The agreement is expected to support South Africa’s decarbonization ambitions while improving grid stability, energy reliability, and renewable energy integration.
The first project under the agreement will be developed at Eskom’s Hendrina Power Station in Mpumalanga, one of the country’s oldest coal-fired generating facilities. The initial gravity energy storage system (GESS) installation is designed to provide 25 MW of power capacity and four hours of storage duration, equivalent to 100 MWh of stored electricity. The system has also been designed with scalability in mind, allowing future expansion to as much as 4 GW of storage capacity.
The collaboration establishes a long-term strategic partnership between the two companies and reflects a shared commitment to accelerating the transformation of Southern Africa’s power sector from heavy coal dependence toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
Under the terms of the agreement, Energy Vault will deliver its latest EVx 2.0™ gravity energy storage platform, including associated equipment and technology integration services. The company will also provide engineering expertise, project management support, and localized workforce training to support deployment and future operations.
The partnership framework further includes plans to license, co-develop, and deploy up to 4 GWh of gravity-based storage systems across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region by 2035. The SADC bloc consists of 16 member states and represents one of the fastest-evolving energy markets in the developing world.
Energy Vault’s EVx 2.0™ system represents the next generation of gravity energy storage technology. Unlike conventional battery systems that rely on electrochemical processes, gravity storage systems use mechanical energy generated by lifting and lowering heavy composite blocks. Electricity is stored when surplus power is available and then released back into the grid when demand increases.
The upgraded EVx 2.0™ platform introduces major enhancements in software orchestration, construction automation, operational efficiency, and mechanical design. These improvements are intended to support the deployment of large-scale, multi-gigawatt energy storage projects capable of stabilizing power grids with increasing renewable energy penetration.
One of the distinctive features of the technology is its use of recycled materials in the storage blocks. Energy Vault’s design incorporates advanced material science that enables the economic reuse of coal ash generated from power plants. The storage blocks used in the system can weigh between 25 and 30 tons each, transforming industrial waste into a valuable energy storage resource.
This aspect of the project is particularly significant for South Africa, where coal-fired power generation has historically produced large quantities of ash waste. By repurposing coal combustion byproducts into storage materials, the project supports circular economy principles while also reducing environmental impacts associated with industrial waste disposal.
Robert Piconi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Energy Vault, described the agreement as a transformative development for both the company and the African energy sector.
According to Piconi, the partnership demonstrates how innovative long-duration energy storage technologies can support Africa’s transition toward cleaner electricity systems while simultaneously promoting economic growth, industrial development, and job creation.
He noted that combining Energy Vault’s EVx 2.0™ technology with Eskom’s deep expertise in power generation and transmission creates a powerful foundation for expanding grid-scale energy storage throughout Southern Africa. He also emphasized that the initiative would contribute to building local supply chains, supporting workforce development, and improving energy access across the region.
The project aligns closely with Eskom’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) strategy, which aims to support South Africa’s gradual transition away from coal while minimizing economic disruption and protecting employment opportunities in energy-dependent communities.
Eskom has been actively pursuing strategies to modernize its power infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and diversify the country’s electricity generation mix. While coal remains the dominant source of electricity generation in South Africa, renewable energy deployment has accelerated significantly in recent years.
Dan Marokane, Group Chief Executive of Eskom Holdings, stated that the utility remains committed to reducing the environmental impact of electricity generation while ensuring reliable power supply and affordable electricity access.
He explained that Eskom’s broader strategy includes repowering and repurposing aging coal-fired power stations, exploring cleaner technologies, and adopting innovative solutions that can improve efficiency and reduce costs. Marokane described the partnership with Energy Vault as an important component of Eskom’s long-term clean energy transition strategy.
The Hendrina project itself carries symbolic importance because it involves one of South Africa’s oldest coal power stations. Rather than abandoning aging infrastructure entirely, the initiative demonstrates how legacy energy sites can potentially be transformed into hubs for new clean energy technologies.
The agreement comes at a critical time for South Africa’s energy sector. The country has faced persistent electricity shortages, grid instability, and rolling blackouts in recent years due to aging infrastructure, insufficient generation capacity, and operational challenges within the national power system.
Long-duration energy storage is increasingly viewed as a key solution for improving grid reliability and supporting renewable energy integration. Unlike traditional lithium-ion battery systems, gravity energy storage technologies can provide extended discharge durations while potentially reducing reliance on critical minerals and lowering lifecycle environmental impacts.
Across the broader Southern African region, electricity access and grid modernization remain major priorities. Although access to electricity has improved substantially over the last decade, millions of people across the SADC region still lack reliable energy supply.
Today, approximately 56% of the region’s population has access to electricity, compared with only 36% a decade earlier. Governments, utilities, and private sector stakeholders are continuing to invest heavily in infrastructure expansion, renewable energy projects, and transmission upgrades.
South Africa continues to rely heavily on coal, which accounted for more than 80% of electricity generation in 2024. However, national energy policies increasingly support diversification into renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, battery storage, and emerging technologies like gravity-based storage systems.
Energy storage is expected to play a critical role in enabling this transition by balancing intermittent renewable generation, improving grid resilience, and ensuring stable electricity supply during periods of fluctuating demand.
Industry analysts believe that projects such as the Energy Vault-Eskom partnership could position Southern Africa as an emerging leader in innovative utility-scale storage deployment. The initiative also highlights growing international interest in Africa’s energy transition opportunities, particularly in regions with abundant renewable resources and rising electricity demand.
For Energy Vault, the agreement represents one of the company’s most significant international expansion opportunities to date. It also reinforces growing global interest in alternative long-duration storage technologies capable of complementing or competing with conventional battery systems.
For Eskom, the collaboration offers access to advanced energy storage capabilities that could help stabilize the national grid, support renewable energy integration, and facilitate the gradual transition away from coal dependence without compromising energy security.
As the partnership progresses, both companies aim to demonstrate how large-scale gravity energy storage can contribute to a cleaner, more resilient, and more inclusive energy future for South Africa and the wider Southern African region.
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