Lekela contracts DNV to study feasibility of 40-MW battery in Senegal

Africa-focused renewables developer Lekela Power has hired assurance and risk management expert DNV to carry out a feasibility study for a 40-MW/175-MWh battery electric storage system (BESS) next to a wind farm in Senegal.

The project will lead to the construction of West Africa’s largest grid-scale BESS at the 158.7-MW Parc Eolien Taiba N’Diaye (PETN) wind park. When fully charged, the battery will be able to discharge its fully-rated capacity for more than four hours.

DNV’s study will focus on how to provide increased grid stability and integrate intermittent renewable energy into the electricity grid of national utility Senelec, which is expected to sign the nation’s first off-take agreement for energy storage in relation to this project. DNV will assist Lekela in developing the technical specifications for the BESS and will participate in the negotiation of the off-take contract.

The project is funded through a grant provided by the US Trade and Development Association (USTDA). Construction work is seen to start next year.

Lekela is a renewables platform owned 60% by Actis. The remaining shares are held by a consortium led by Mainstream Renewable Power.

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