Are energy storage boom times extending to Africa?

Boom times for energy storage have extended to the continent of Africa, with a 10-fold increase in installed storage supporting grids and renewable energy penetration.

Why should Africa Invest in energy storage?

If Africa is to sustain its growth in renewable energy and create benefits for its population, implementing storage solutions becomes an imperative. Robust investment in storage will help to integrate different forms of energy into the grid seamlessly, thus promoting stable and uninterrupted power supply.

How many GWh of storage projects are being built in Africa?

AFSIA said similar projects have also been launched in Senegal, Malawi, Botswana, Tanzania, Namibia and Mauritius, for a total of 500 MW plus. In total, AFSIA says around 18GWh of storage projects are under development across Africa. Tristan is an Electrical Engineer with experience in consulting and public sector works in plant procurement.

How has energy storage changed in 2022?

This has resulted in an increase in energy storage levels in recent years. In 2022, the continent had around 50MWh of energy storage capacity installed. Since then, energy storage capacity tripled in 2023 and then experienced another 10-fold increase in 2024. Image: AFSIA Solar.

Why is solar energy growing in Africa?

The rise of renewable energy in Africa has coincided with a decade of growth globally, with solar energy alone experiencing a 30% growth a year. For solar, the growing demand for clean electricity coupled with up to 80% reduction in the cost of solar PV panels has driven this growth.

What are the most popular solar-plus-storage developments in Africa?

As noted by AFSIA Solar, one of the most notable solar-plus-storage developments in Africa is Norway-based independent power producer (IPP) Scatec’s 225MW/1,140MWh Kenhardt project in South Africa. The site started operation in late 2023 (pictured above).