In Malawi, solar energy developments are helping local communities maintain sustainable energy. For instance, Bwengu Projects Malawi provides teachers in high-needs schools with solar-powered LED projectors in Bwengu, the northern countryside of Malawi.
The Golomoti project is Malawi’s second solar IPP after JCM’s Salima solar project and proudly boasts the first utility-scale grid-connected battery energy storage system in sub-Saharan Africa, having connected to the grid in December 2021.
TA has also provided a further $6 million Viability Gap Funding grant to the project to accelerate progress to construction. As the country’s first commercial-scale solar IPP, Salima Solar has considerable potential for replication; promoting further development of Malawi’s solar resource.
The project also engaged a professional chef from Lilongwe to train a team of local women to prepare and serve free, nutritious meals for the construction team each day from the on-site African Food Kitchen facility. The Salima Solar project ties in with Power Africa initiatives in the region which aim to connect more people to the national grid.