Nov 26, 2024 · Malawi is constructing its first battery-energy storage system to bolster its grid against outages caused by cyclones. The 20-megawatt project, supported by $20 million from
Jul 18, 2025 · Malawi Minister Tours India''s Largest Battery Storage Project Supported by GEAPP Ibrahim Imed Matola, Minister of Energy, Government of Malawi, is on an official visit to India
Nov 26, 2024 · The BESS project, valued as a ground-breaking initiative, boasts a 20-megawatt battery energy storage system, a first-of-its-kind in Africa. Scheduled to be fully operational by
Malawi’s geographical location necessitates a reasonable internal storage capacity to prevent supply disruptions due to natural or man-made emergencies. The recommended capacity for a landlocked country is at least 90 days' supply [as suggested by GoM, SADC, and the International Energy Agency].
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.
The purpose of Government fuel storage facilities in Malawi includes utilizing them as inland dry ports and common-user facilities, ensuring effective participation of Malawian nationals in the petroleum products market, and developing guidelines for franchising of liquid fuel outlets.
For information about energy in Malawi, contact the Department of Energy Affairs at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining. You can reach them at Capital House, City Centre, P/Bag 309, Lilongwe 3, Malawi. Their contact details are: Tel No. (265) 1 770688, Fax No. (265) 1 770094/771954, and E-mail: [email protected].
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.
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.”
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