MALAWI – The state-owned Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) has initiated a tender for the supply, delivery, installation, testing, and commissioning of a 20MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Lilongwe, the nation’s capital.
This project is made possible through a grant from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP).
ESCOM underscores that the battery storage project will play a pivotal role in integrating variable renewable energy sources into Malawi’s national grid.
It will support functions such as frequency control, ancillary services, and other grid support applications.
This endeavor aims to enhance electricity access for approximately 600,000 households and industries connected to Malawi’s electricity grid.
Malawi boasts substantial untapped renewable energy potential, particularly in solar and wind resources. By deploying energy storage systems, the country seeks to facilitate the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources into the grid.
These systems will store excess energy generated during peak production times and release it during periods of high demand or low renewable generation.
Interested bidders for the BESS tender are required to submit their bids by Tuesday, 15th April 2024.
In parallel, South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has launched Bid Window 3 of the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP BW 3).
This tender calls for the submission of bids for energy storage projects totaling 616 MW / 2464 MWh at pre-selected substation sites identified by Eskom.
BESIPPPP serves as a grid-scale energy storage program aimed at procuring energy storage systems from private energy storage companies, thus enhancing grid capacity for improved integration of renewable energy projects.
Under Bid Window 3, DMRE has also announced the appointment of the 5th preferred bidder, AGV Projects (Pty) Ltd, for the Red Sands BESS project, which will provide 153 MW Battery Energy Storage capacity.
Eskom has identified five sites in the Free State Province for the development of battery energy storage projects under BESIPPPP BW 3.
These sites include Harvard, Leander, Theseus, Everest, and Merapi substations. The bid submission deadline is set for 31st July 2024.
These battery energy storage systems are expected to enhance Eskom’s grid capacity and provide essential services like Instantaneous Reserves, Regulating Reserves, Ten Reserves, and Supplemental Reserves.
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