Construction Set to Commence at 20 MWp Solar PV Facility in Malawi

Construction of the 20 MWp Golomoti solar project in Malawi is set to commence. The project, which is being developed by Canadian Independent Power Producer (IPP), JCM Power, is funded by InfraCo Africa, an investment company owned by the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG). The developers have a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the state-owned Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) to see the energy produced connected to the national grid via the Golomoti station. The facility will have a capacity of 20 MWp with a 5 MW/10 MWh battery storage system. The project is also supported by the UK government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategies, Energy Catalyst and Innovate UK’s Rina Tech UK (Rina).

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Project developer InfraCo Africa believes that the solar power plant, when completed, will improve electricity grid stability and reduce Malawi’s dependence on its hydropower plants, which have occasional output reduction during the dry season.

The Malawian government is also seeking to construct a second PV solar power plant in Salima due to the Golomoti Power Plant’s associated benefits. This project will add 60 MWp to the country’s electricity grid. The Salima solar power plant will cost $40 million and will be sited 75 km from the Lilongwe River. InfraCo Africa, JMC and Matswani Capital will partner in the development of this second power plant.