Renewable energy developer Xago Africa has raised undisclosed funding from USTDA, to build a utility scale solar photovoltaic power plant in Siaya County, Kenya, make it among the first utility-scale battery storage installations in Africa.
“USTDA is pleased to facilitate new business partnerships between US and Kenyan companies that can spur long-term, sustainable economic growth,” said Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Director Lida Fitts. “The adoption of innovative and cost-effective US technology can help Kenya to meet its energy development goals.”
The renewable energy developer will also work with battery storage manufacturer Alevo, to help it provide grid stability, help to manage solar intermittency, and provide dispatchability of clean reliable and sustainable power to their users. Solar plus energy storage will enable Kenya to increase the adoption of renewable energy.
According to Paul W Webb, Xago Africa’s Managing Director, “We are proud to be partnering Alevo which leads the field in battery technology and network analytics. This USTDA funded project builds on our valuable relationship with Power Africa and will lay the foundations for the Kenyan electricity system to become the most advanced in Africa.”
Xago Africa, is expanding into other territories in North and Sub‐Saharan Africa and aims to bring clean power to the 600 million Africans who do not have access to electricity. Xago Africa is currently developing a 40 MW solar power plant at a cost of around $75 million near Lake Victoria which will alleviate the chronic power shortages in Western Kenya. And together with construction partner, Solarcentury East Africa, Xago Africa will provide solar power systems to three schools in the area in addition to its ongoing support for the Mama Sarah Obama Foundation’s school building programme.
Recently, Alevo raised $1.4 million for a technical study supported to provide detailed analytics for the Kenyan power system and serve as a roadmap to help advance the energy storage market in Kenya. Implementation of energy storage technologies can increase the efficiency and stability of the national grid, allow for increased integration of renewable energy generation sources, and reduce reliance on expensive fossil fuel generation in Kenya.
