The United States (US) through the International Development Corporation (DFC) has committed a $25 million loan (about K25.6 billion) to support JCM Powers’ 20 megawatts (MW) solar photovoltaic power plant and the 5MW battery energy storage system in Golomoti.

In a statement made available to Business News, DFC chief executive officer Scott Nathan, who signed the commitment letter on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, said the investment in Golomoti Solar aims at improving energy supply in the country.

JCM’s Golomoti solar plant

He said: “This investment supports a new solar energy plant to deliver electricity to the national power grid to directly benefit Malawian businesses and communities.

“The Golomoti plant includes Malawi’s first battery energy storage system, creating a reliable energy source that will promote economic stability for the country’s future development.”

Presently, Malawi is struggling to produce adequate power, with only 10 percent of the country’s 18 million people having access to electricity, according to the Malawi Sustainable Energy Investments Report.

The project is thus expected to ease the power supply deficit faced by the country’s wider population.

JCM Power chief executive officer Christian Wray has since indicated that the funds will help unlock the country’s renewable energy potential and to be the industry’s market leader in the country.

He said: “With the support of partners like DFC, projects like Golomoti are achievable. With DFC’s support, the new solar photovoltaic plant is the first utility-scale grid-connected project in Malawi with a 5MW battery energy storage system included in the plant.”

Meanwhile, the government through the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi is targeting to add 343.26MW to the national grid by 2024 from Independent Power Producers (IPPS).

The IPPs such as JCM’s Salima Solar Power Project with 60MW and Golomoti Solar Project with 20MW, Mulanje Hydro Limited’s Ruo/ Ndiza Hydro Project with 8.2MW and Cedar Energy Limited’s Hydro Project with 3.06MW, have this far added 92MW to the national grid.

Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority consumer and public relations manager Fitina Khonje is on record as having said that in partnership with industry players and government, they will continue to facilitate an environment and processes that enable operators to establish themselves and contribute towards the country’s energy security.

The government Power Demand Forecast of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2017, as revised in 2018, indicates that the demand for electricity is projected to increase in excess of 800MW, 1 200MW and 2 500MW by 2020, 2025 and 2035, respectively

Located at Dedza, the Golomoti Solar plant is connected to the adjacent Golomoti substation which provides much-needed power to Malawi’s national grid.

The plant, which commenced operations early this year, was co-developed by JCM Power and InfraCo Africa.

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