Senegal has inaugurated the Walo Storage facility in Bokhol, the first grid-connected solar-plus-battery installation in West Africa. Developed by Africa REN at a cost of €40 million, the project combines a 16 MW solar photovoltaic plant with a 10 MW/20 MWh lithium-ion battery system to provide grid frequency regulation and stabilization. The plant, completed in 12 months, is already supplying power to the national grid under a 20-year take-or-pay agreement with the state utility, Senelec.
Africa REN CEO Gilles Parmentier says the company plans to replicate the Battery Energy Storage System model across the region and beyond, either alongside solar plants or as standalone projects to support grid operators. The hybrid facility is expected to cut 26,600 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.