- Wind independent power producer (IPP), Cabeolica, has obtained approval from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Energy of Cape Verde to expand their wind energy production capacity on the island of Santiago plus include energy storage.
- Wind generation will be expanded from 9 to 22 MW while two electricity storage systems of 9 MW/5 MWh in Santiago and 6 MW/6 MWh on the island of Sal will be installed.
According to Alexandre Monteiro, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Energy of Cape Verde, “the “Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are essential to stabilize the grid and store surplus renewable energy.” He adds that the Cabeolica project will increase the proportion of renewable energy in Cape Verde’s electricity mix to 30% by 2025, up from 20% currently. This will allow the archipelago off the coast of West Africa to save 1 million euros each year on imports of the fuel that powers its thermal power plants.
Cabeolica supplies 17% of Cape Verde’s electricity. The public-private partnership was set up between the government and the investment company Africa Finance Corporation. The IPP is 40% owned by fund manager A.P.Moller Capital, 50% by AFC and 6% by the State of Cape Verde.
The Republic of Cabo Verdeis an archipelago and island country of West Africa in the central Atlantic Ocean, consisting of ten volcanic islands with a combined land area of about 4,033 square kilometres.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
