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Malawi Switches On 20 MW AC Solar+Storage Plant

Anu Bhambhani
  • Malawi has grid connected its '1st' utility scale grid connected hybrid solar and storage project
  • Located in Dedza district, the project has been commissioned by InfraCo Africa and JCM Power
  • It comprises 20 MW AC/28.5 MW DC solar PV and 5 MW/10 MWh lithium ion battery capacity

Canadian independent power producer (JCM Power) and equity investor InfraCo Africa have formally commissioned the '1st' utility scale grid connected hybrid solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) in Sub-Saharan Africa, in Malawi.

With 20 MW AC/28.5 MW DC solar PV and 5 MW/10 MWh lithium ion battery capacity, Golomoti project has come up in Dedza district after construction began on site in April 2021. It is equipped with bifacial single-axis trackers.

Both the project partners called it a milestone for the region as the presence of a storage system serves allows for integration of increasing amounts of renewable energy into utility's networks.

"We are proud to announce the completion of our second solar project in Malawi which is a pioneering solar and energy storage project that will serve as a catalyst for many similar projects in the future," said JCM Power CEO Christian Wray.

The duo previously commissioned 60 MW AC Salima project in Malawi as the country's 1st utility scale solar project in November 2021 (see 60 MW Solar Plant Online In Malawi).