- InfraCo Africa, part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), and its Canadian project partner, JCM Power (JCM) will go ahead with the construction of the 20MW Golomoti Solar project with a 5MW/10MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system.
- The Golomoti Solar plant will be the first commercial-scale solar photovoltaic plant in Malawi to include a battery storage.
- The company also has a sister project in Salima.
Located in Dedza, approximately 100km south east of Lilongwe, the Golomoti Solar plant will facilitate delivery of much-needed clean power to Malawi’s national grid. With support from Business Energy and Industrial Strategies International Climate Finance through innovate UK’s Energy Catalyst and RINA, the project will incorporate a state-of-the-art 5MW/10MWh lithium-ion BESS which will enable the plant to provide reliable power and improve network stability, reducing reliance on hydro and diesel generation, whilst ensuring that grid stability is maintained. It is anticipated that performance data from the BESS will inform similar systems elsewhere in the region.
JCM Power’s Co-Founder and Head of Africa, Justin Woodward, said, “During what has been an unprecedented year, this project marks a renewed commitment from all stakeholders that Malawi is an attractive destination for foreign investment. With the addition of batteries, the project will provide the foundation for Malawi to continue to be a regional leader in the renewable energy industry.”
Golomoti Solar has benefited from knowledge-sharing with its sister project, Salima Solar, with both projects key to transforming regulatory frameworks around Malawi’s renewable energy sector. Salima Solar is expected to begin delivering power to Malawi’s national grid in early 2021, with Golomoti becoming operational in the latter half of 2021.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
