Australian industrial minerals developer Syrah Resources has signed an agreement with the African subsidiary of British energy developer Solarcentury to deploy a solar-plus-storage project at its Balama graphite plant in Mozambique, according to foreign media reports.
The signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines the terms and conditions under which the two parties will handle the design, funding, construction and operation of the project.
The plan calls for the deployment of a solar park with an installed capacity of 11.2MW and a battery storage system with an installed capacity of 8.5MW, based on the final design. The solar-plus-storage project will work in tandem with a 15MW diesel power generation facility operating on-site at the natural graphite mine and processing plant.
Shaun Verner, General Manager and CEO of Syrah, said: “Deploying this solar + energy storage project will reduce operating costs at the Balama graphite plant and will further strengthen the ESG credentials of its natural graphite supply, as well as our facility in Vida, Louisiana, USA. future supply of Lia’s vertically integrated battery anode materials project.”
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) survey data, the installed capacity of solar power facilities in Mozambique is not high, only 55MW by the end of 2019. Despite the outbreak, its development and construction are still ongoing.
For example, French independent power producer Neoen started developing a 41MW solar power project in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province in October 2020. When completed, it will become the largest solar power generation facility in Mozambique.
Meanwhile, Mozambique’s Ministry of Mineral Resources began bidding in October 2020 for three solar power projects with a total installed capacity of 40MW. Electricity National de Mozambique (EDM) will purchase the electricity from the three projects after they become operational.
Post time: Mar-31-2022
