Malawi Mobile Energy Storage Power Communication BESS

The Malawi BESS project will guide the scale-up of BESS projects in the Consortium's participating countries. To alleviate energy poverty by 2030 and save a gigaton of CO2 in low and middle-income countries, it is estimated that 90 GW of BESS must be developed to support the required 400 GW of renewable energy.

By breaking ground for this BESS project (and its subsequent completion expected in 2025), Malawi is an important proof point for the BESS Consortium launched by GEAPP at COP28 to secure 5 gigawatts (GW) of BESS commitments in low and middle income countries (LMICs) by the end of 2024.

The project will also contribute to a cleaner energy future for Malawi, reducing reliance on costly diesel generators, cutting carbon emissions by ~10,000 tonnes annually, and unlocking the full uptake of at least 100 MW of variable renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, into the grid.

By enhancing the stability and resilience of Malawi's grid, it demonstrates the power of collaboration in advancing energy access, reducing emissions, and supporting livelihoods.

This is GEAPP's first BESS project in Africa. GEAPP is providing up to $20 million in grant funding to the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) to support the design, procurement, installation, and operation of the BESS site. The Government of Malawi and ESCOM are providing match funding. The planned commission date is in 2025.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Government of Malawi to support the country's ambition to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 as we pursue the goals of Mission 300: connecting 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030 at unprecedented scale and speed.”