Africa REN Powers Up Solar‑Plus‑Storage Plant in Senegal

Written By: Faith Jemosop

Africa REN, a leading pan‑African renewable energy developer, has energized the Walo Storage project in Bokhol, Senegal, a groundbreaking solar-plus-storage facility featuring 16 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity and a 10 MW/20 MWh lithium-ion battery. This project is West Africa’s first grid-scale battery system dedicated specifically to frequency regulation, marking a major milestone for clean energy innovation in the region.

First of Its Kind in West Africa

The Walo plant is the first investment-grade battery energy storage system (BESS) in West Africa that focuses on grid frequency regulation. Its hybrid nature, combining a 16 MW solar plant with a 10 MW/20 MWh battery, allows it to deliver both clean energy and ancillary services to the national utility, SENELEC, under a long-term 20-year power purchase agreement.

The solar array uses high-efficiency monocrystalline panels, single-axis trackers, and string inverters for optimal energy output. Meanwhile, the battery system is designed to balance fluctuations in solar generation and support grid stability, something crucial for a power grid facing challenges with intermittency and reliability.

Financing and Investment Model

The total cost of the project stands at €32 million, financed through a blended structure involving several development finance institutions. The Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) provided €11 million each. An additional €8 million came from FMO’s Access to Energy Fund, with €1.5 million granted as Viability Gap Funding from PIDG’s Technical Assistance facility.

This innovative financing approach shows how blended capital from public-private partnerships can support high-risk, high-impact infrastructure in emerging markets. It also highlights the increasing investor confidence in Africa’s renewable energy landscape.

Also read: Why Millions of Kenyans Still Lack Electricity Despite Abundant Renewable Resources

Senegal’s Energy Crisis and the Role of Walo

Senegal’s energy sector is constrained by frequent outages, aging infrastructure, and limited spinning reserves. These issues are compounded by a growing share of renewables, which, while crucial for reducing emissions, introduce volatility into the grid due to their intermittent nature.

The Walo project directly addresses this issue by offering dispatchable, firm capacity that can respond quickly to fluctuations in supply and demand. The battery system can charge when solar output is high and discharge when needed, particularly during evening peaks or cloudy days.

Importantly, this project arrives as Senegal embarks on a major shift under its Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), a multilateral initiative involving the European Union, UK, France, Germany, and Canada. Under the JETP, Senegal aims to achieve 40 percent renewable energy in its national electricity mix by 2030.

Measurable Impacts

The Walo project is expected to bring significant environmental, economic, and social benefits:

• Carbon Reduction: The plant will reduce annual CO₂ emissions by an estimated 17,000 to 26,600 tons, depending on the metrics used.
• Job Creation: During construction, the project created over 200 jobs, with 70 percent of the workforce drawn from the local community. Around 30 permanent roles will be sustained during operations.
• Community Benefits: Beyond electricity generation, Africa REN has launched several community outreach initiatives. These include the construction of solar-powered water pumping stations and expansion of clean water access in five neighboring villages. Additionally, training programs are being offered to local youth to build skills in renewable energy operations and maintenance.
• Grid Reliability: With the battery providing frequency regulation and spinning reserve, the project significantly boosts the quality and reliability of electricity services. This is a vital upgrade for households, industries, and social services like hospitals and schools.

Strategic Value for West Africa

The Walo project holds several strategic implications for Senegal and the wider West African region:

Also read: Who Is Responsible For South Africa’s Power Crisis?

This kind of pioneering infrastructure not only supplies electricity but also strengthens institutional knowledge, builds investor confidence, and sets a roadmap for how to scale climate-resilient power systems across Africa.

National Renewable Energy Context

Senegal has made commendable strides in deploying renewables in recent years. Other notable projects include:

• The Diass Solar Power Station (23 MW), commissioned in 2022 with international support.
• The Niakhar Solar Power Station, currently under development, will combine 30 MW of solar PV with 15 MW/45 MWh of battery storage.
• The Taiba N’Diaye Wind Farm, the largest in West Africa at 158 MW, is exploring the integration of a 175 MWh battery system to improve stability.

Despite these efforts, renewable energy accounted for only about 7 percent of Senegal’s total installed capacity in 2022. Projects like Walo will be instrumental in closing this gap and enabling the country to meet its 2030 targets.

Voices from the Project

Gilles Parmentier, CEO of Africa REN, emphasized the broader vision behind the Walo project. According to him, this initiative not only enhances energy access but also reflects the company’s deep commitment to sustainable development, social inclusion, and long-term climate resilience.

SENELEC’s General Manager, Papa Toby Gaye, also praised the project, calling it a “critical innovation” for enhancing grid stability and ensuring consistent electricity delivery, especially for vulnerable and underserved communities.