{"id":826304,"date":"2025-05-31T21:49:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-31T19:49:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=826304"},"modified":"2025-06-09T15:42:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T13:42:36","slug":"andre-de-ruyters-right-hand-man-scores-big-in-r9-5-billion-battery-storage-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/energy\/826304\/andre-de-ruyters-right-hand-man-scores-big-in-r9-5-billion-battery-storage-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Andre de Ruyter’s right-hand man scores big in R9.5 billion battery storage projects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mulilo Energy, chaired by Andre de Ruyter\u2019s former right-hand man, Jan Oberholzer, has been awarded four large battery storage projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oberholzer served as Eskom\u2019s chief operating officer (COO) under former chief executive De Ruyter and became a household name during a turbulent time at the power utility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He retired on 30 April 2023 but signed a fixed-term contract to provide support to the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station long-term operation (LTO) and Kusile Power Station projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 31 July 2023, Eskom and Oberholzer parted ways by mutual agreement. Soon afterwards, he entered the private sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In September 2023, Mulilo Energy announced the appointment of Oberholzer as a non-executive director and chairman of its board of directors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mulilo valued his extensive background in the energy sector and a proven track record of leading large and complex organisations, as well as managing multi-billion-dollar projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe is globally recognised for his dynamic leadership and his commitment to fostering positive change within the energy industry,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHis strategic vision aligns seamlessly with the company\u2019s mission of bringing large-scale wind, solar and battery storage projects into operation in South Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mulilo said they were confident that Oberholzer\u2019s guidance would help it accelerate its contributions to a cleaner, more sustainable future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOver the next 5 years, we aim to develop, own and operate 5 GW of wind, solar and battery storage projects. This, certainly, promises a lot for the future,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oberholzer said Mulilo was what South Africa needed, as it was a pivotal organisation investing in long-term, diverse, and sustainable energy solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI intend to build on the achievements of my predecessors and ensure the energy Mulilo generates helps grow the South African economy through its cost competitiveness,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am truly honoured to serve this remarkable organisation as its chairman and look forward to this new and exciting chapter with gratitude\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mulilo a big winner in South Africa\u2019s Battery Energy Storage projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Mulilo chairman Jan Oberholzer and CEO Jan Fourie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mulilo was a big winner<\/a> in South Africa\u2019s Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mulilo and Scatec were named as preferred bidders to develop 616 MW \/ 2,464 MWh of new battery storage capacity for R9.5 billion in the Free State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mulilo has been awarded four projects, which will deliver 493 MW \/ 1,972 MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) installations under 15-year power purchase agreements with Eskom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All awarded projects are located in the Free State, South Africa and will include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n