South Africa to Launch Continent’s First Industrial-Scale Gravity Battery

• May 13, 2026

South Africa is set to pioneer Africa’s first industrial gravity-based energy storage facility through a collaboration between the state-owned power utility Eskom and the multinational company Energy Vault. This initiative marks a significant development in energy storage technology tailored for renewable power integration within the continent.

Innovative Gravity Storage to Support Solar Energy

The project employs an innovative approach where electricity generated by solar power plants is converted into potential energy by elevating massive weights. Specifically, 30-ton blocks will be lifted to a designated height using surplus electricity produced during periods of high solar generation.

When additional power is required, these blocks will be lowered, and the gravitational force will drive generators to feed electricity back into the grid. This method allows for energy to be stored without relying on chemical batteries, offering a potentially durable and scalable solution for balancing supply and demand on South Africa’s grid.

The integration of this gravity storage system aligns with South Africa’s ongoing efforts to increase renewable energy penetration and improve grid reliability. Unlike traditional battery storage, which can encounter limitations such as resource availability and environmental impacts, gravity systems utilize physical principles and recyclable materials, presenting fewer ecological challenges.

Eskom’s collaboration with Energy Vault, which has expertise in gravity-based storage technologies, underlines the strategic pursuit of diversifying energy storage technologies in the region. The move is expected to contribute to grid stability by storing excess renewable energy generated during peak sunlight hours and delivering it during times of low generation or high demand.

While specific details on project scale, costs, and timeline have not been publicly disclosed, the venture marks a notable advancement in African clean energy infrastructure. It also reflects global trends in exploring alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage.

The deployment of gravity energy storage in South Africa may serve as a case study for other countries on the continent seeking resilient and sustainable solutions to manage growing renewable energy portfolios.

Eskom teams up with Energy Vault to build Africa’s inaugural industrial gravity energy storage system using solar power and heavy lifting blocks.