Malawi has reached a major milestone in its energy transition journey, commissioning its first utility-scale grid-connected battery energy storage system (BESS).

The 20 MW/40 MWh system at the Kanengo sub-station near the capital, Lilongwe, is expected to strengthen grid reliability, enhance energy security and support the integration of renewable energy into the country’s electricity network, according to a report in Africa Business Communities.

Jean Mathanga, Malawi’s minister of energy, who attended the launch, called the BESS ‘the shock absorber our national grid has desperately needed’, adding that sudden drops in solar generation no longer had to result in energy insecurity.

Justin Saidi, the Malawi government’s chief secretary, said the project was a collaboration between government, Escom and the non-profit Global Energy Alliance, with government providing policy leadership, tax waivers and regulatory clarity; the Global Energy Alliance providing funding and technical back-up; and Escom co-financing and managing the grant, and delivering the project within budget.

Engineering, procurement and construction contractor Jivo Energy, based in Dubai and formerly known as  RIC Energy Africa, highlighted the efforts of its team in achieving the milestone. ‘Their passion, resilience, and attention to detail have been remarkable. They met every engineering challenge head-on with unwavering commitment,’ said Jorge Lascas, chief commercial officer at Jivo Energy.

He added that the project showed that the company was able ‘to execute complex, high-impact utility-scale energy projects to international standards using Tier-I equipment’.

11 August 2026
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