- Malawi and GEAPP will begin constructing Africa’s first 20 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in Lilongwe, which is set to be completed in 2025.
- The $20 million BESS project will stabilise Malawi’s hydropower-reliant grid, enhance electricity access, and reduce carbon emissions by 10,000 tonnes annually.
- This initiative is part of GEAPP’s BESS Consortium, which aims to deploy 5 GW of storage in low-middle-income countries by 2024.
The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) and the Government of Malawi have launched the construction of a 20 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Kanengo substation in Lilongwe.
This project marks GEAPP’s first BESS initiative in Africa. GEAPP has committed $20 million in grant funding, while the Government of Malawi and the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) are contributing matching funds. The project targets completion by 2025.
Malawi faces significant energy access challenges, with 74% of the population lacking reliable electricity. Unpredictable rainfall and climate change have impacted Malawi’s grid, which depends on hydropower for 70% of its energy. The BESS project aims to stabilise voltage levels, cut power outages, and provide consistent electricity to homes, industries, hospitals, schools, and water systems.
By supporting the integration of at least 100 MW of solar and wind energy into the grid, the project will reduce the use of costly diesel generators and lower carbon emissions by about 10,000 tonnes annually.
“GEAPP proudly partners with Malawi on this landmark project,” said Joseph Nganga, Vice President for Africa at GEAPP. “It showcases how energy storage can enhance grid reliability, boost access, and cut emissions. This is a step toward our mission to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.”
The BESS project forms part of GEAPP’s broader BESS Consortium, which launched at COP28. The consortium aims to secure 5 GW of battery storage in low and middle-income countries by the end of 2024. Malawi joins other participating countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, Mozambique, and India. The lessons learned in Malawi will guide similar projects in these nations.
Malawi’s President, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, celebrated the collaboration, saying, “This marks a historic moment for our energy sector. GEAPP’s $20 million investment demonstrates a strong belief in Malawi’s future. We are equally committed to matching their investment, showcasing our shared resolve.”
The project supports global energy goals, aligning with the COP29 Presidency’s Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge. This pledge calls for a sixfold increase in energy storage to 1500 GW by 2030. This is crucial for expanding renewable energy and decarbonising power systems worldwide.
The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) focuses on building local capacity, driving innovation, and mobilising capital to advance private-sector solutions and support energy transitions. The Alliance aims to cut four gigatons of future carbon emissions, expand clean energy access to one billion people, and create 150 million jobs. Its key partners include the IKEA Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and the Bezos Earth Fund.