Australian miner brings live solar-plus-storage hybrid in Mozambique

Australian minerals miner Syrah Resources Ltd (ASX:SYR) said today it has achieved full operations of a solar and battery hybrid project at its Balama graphite operations in Mozambique.

The installation includes a 11.25-MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) system paired with an 8.5-MW/MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). It is expected to supply 35% of Balama’s average site power needs, reducing diesel consumption. The hybrid system is thus estimated to reduce product carbon equivalent emissions of Balama natural graphite products by about 13%.

“The solar and battery system delivers significant net operating cost savings, reduces our exposure to volatile, high diesel costs and further strengthens the ESG credentials of Balama’s natural graphite products,” commented Syrah managing director and chief executive Shaun Verner.

Solarcentury Africa Ltd was in charge of the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the project. The system was delivered under a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) arrangement with the project financer, CrossBoundary Energy. This includes a 10-year operating lease and an operating and maintenance contract with a Mozambique incorporated project company of CrossBoundary Energy. After the 10-year BOOT term, operations and ownership will be transferred to Syrah at nil cost.

A final investment decision on the project was announced in April 2022.

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