Battery energy system to help stabilise power
President Lazarus Chakwera on Monday rolled out the $20 million (about K35 billion) Battery Energy Storage System (Bess) at Kanengo in Lilongwe, capable of storing 20 megawatts (MW) of power which can be used during peak hours.
The Bess, supported by the Green Energy Alliance for People and Planet (Geapp), is aimed at bolstering Malawi’s energy infrastructure.
The system scheduled for implementation in June 2025, will deploy advanced battery systems capable of storing over 20MW, providing much-needed stability to the national grid.
In his address, Chakwera said the system is key to transforming the energy sector, reduce local electricity generation costs and drive economic growth.
He, however, expressed concern over persistent vandalism undermining efforts to close the energy gap.
Said Chakwera: “These acts of vandalism are not commercially motivated, but deliberate sabotage intended to create the perception of failure. Those perpetrating these acts to regain power are misguided.”
Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi board chairperson Morgan Tembo said the system is key to integrating renewable energy sources such as solar and wind into the national power grid.
“The batteries will enable energy storage during off-peak periods for use during peak demand, improving grid stability, ensuring reliability and fostering economic growth,” he said.
In his remarks, Geapp Vice-President for Africa Joseph Karanga Nganga said the system aligns with commitments made at the Africa Summit and CoP29 to expand global battery storage capacity to 1 500 gigawatts.
He said the system has transformative impact of improving electricity access on key economic sectors.
“Enhanced access to electricity will empower local farmers to engage in large-scale irrigation and mechanised farming while also driving growth in the mining sector,” said Nganga.
The Battery Energy Storage System’s objectives align closely with recommendations made by the World Bank in its July 2023 Malawi Economic Monitor and December 2023 Country Economic Memorandum.
The Country Economic Memorandum underscores energy access as a cornerstone of industrialisation and prosperity as envisioned in the Malawi 2063, the country’s long-term development plan that seeks to turn Malawi into a lower middle-income economy by 2030 and an upper middle-income economy by 2063.
Reads the memorandum: “Investing in energy access is, therefore, a top priority for advancing economic development and wealth creation.”
The Bess project promises to revitalise Malawi’s economy and place the country on a path to sustainable growth by tackling energy instability and fostering the integration of renewable technologies.
In November last year, Eskom South Africa pioneered the largest Bess project on the African continent to meet one of the urgent needs to address South Africa’s long-running electricity crisis by adding more storage capacity to strengthen the grid.