Golomoti, Malawi: Sub-Saharan Africa's first utility-scale solar PV and battery storage project

JCM Power和RINA将首次将公用事业规模电池储能系统（BESS）解决方案应用于“Golomoti”，这是JCM Power自2017年以来在马拉维开发的一个现有的20兆瓦太阳能光伏项目。该团队将评估最先进的锂离子电池技术在Golomoti中的可行性和整合。该项目将是撒哈拉以南非洲地区第一个公用事业规模的太阳能光伏和BESS项目。随着创新的BESS解决方案的加入，Golomoti的潜在装机容量将增加到28兆瓦，占马拉维总装机容量的6%左右。该项目的创新之处在于测试了该地区第一个公用事业规模的BESS解决方案。作为一个最不发达国家（LDC），马拉维50%以上的人口生活在贫困线以下，25%的人口生活在极端贫困中。马拉维是世界上电气化率最低的国家之一，只有11.9%的人口能用上电。该团队将通过以下方式解决“能源三难困境”：1）为马拉维人民提供负担得起的可靠能源，并支持马拉维政府实现其国家能源目标; 2）在该地区试行第一个公用事业规模的太阳能光伏和BESS解决方案，邻国可以复制。但BESS在公用事业层面的应用尚未得到证实。Golomoti通过集成BESS解决方案，将提高向国家电网输出的能源的数量、质量和可靠性。目前，Golomoti得到了马拉维政府和马拉维电力供应委员会（国家公用事业）的支持，但还需要进一步分析，以评估、获取和整合合适的BESS解决方案。目前正在寻求公共资金，以减轻支持BESS技术分析、获取和整合的风险，该技术目前尚未在马拉维得到证实。公共资金将支持该项目的可行性，并确保私人投资者可以接受的风险回报情况，不仅为Golomoti，而且为马拉维的电力部门提供融资。

JCM Power and RINA will pilot the first application of a utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) solution into 'Golomoti' -- an existing 20MW solar PV project being developed by JCM Power in Malawi since 2017. The team will assess the feasibility and integration of state-of-the-art lithium ion battery technology into Golomoti. The project will be the first utility-scale solar PV and BESS project in Sub-Saharan Africa. With the inclusion of an innovative BESS solution, Golomoti's potential installed capacity would increase to 28MW and represent approximately a 6% increase in Malawi's total installed capacity. The project's innovation lies in the testing of the first utility-scale BESS solution in the region.As a Least Developed Country (LDC) -- more than 50% of Malawi's population live below the poverty line and 25% live in extreme poverty. Malawi has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world, where only 11.9% of the population have access to electricity. The team will address the 'energy trilemma' by bringing 1) affordable and reliable energy to Malawi's population and support the Government of Malawi in achieving its national energy goals, and 2) piloting the first utility-scale solar PV and BESS solution in the region that neighbouring countries can replicate.Traditional on-grid solar PV technology in Sub-Saharan Africa is proven, but the application of BESS at the utility level is not yet proven. Golomoti, with the integration of a BESS solution, will improve the amount, quality and reliability of the energy output to the national grid. Currently, Golomoti has the support from the Government of Malawi and Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (state utility), but further analysis is needed to assess, acquire and integrate a suitable BESS solution.Public funding is being sought to mitigate the risk of supporting the analysis, acquisition and integration of BESS technology which is currently not proven in Malawi. Public funding will support the project's viability and ensure a risk-return profile acceptable to private investors to unlock financing not only for Golomoti, but also for Malawi's power sector.