ESS to provide 1-MW/8-MWh storage system in Nigeria

ESS Tech Inc (NYSE:GWH), a US manufacturer of long-duration energy storage systems (LDES), on Tuesday said it will provide an initial 1 MW/8 MWh of storage to Nigerian energy company Sapele Power Plc.

This is ESS' first project in Africa, and, according to the announcement, represents the largest US government-financed battery storage system export to the continent so far. The deal will be financed in part by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM).

Sapele board member Heather Onoh said the project will deliver improved reliability and efficiency for the company’s generation assets in Nigeria. ESS’ iron-flow technology will provide load-smoothing, peak demand shifting and allow the Sapele power station’s turbines to ramp up and down efficiently.

“As we continue to grow and meet global demand for long-duration energy storage, we are proud to serve innovative use cases, demonstrating the many potential applications for ESS technology,” said ESS CEO Eric Dresselhuys.

Meanwhile, ESS on Monday said that commissioning has been completed on the initial system installed at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The ESS system will help replace diesel ground power units that currently supply electricity to aircraft while parked at airport gates.

“This project provides a blueprint for LDES to safely provide clean, reliable energy in airport operations and reduce fossil fuel dependence,” said Eric Dresselhuys.

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