Nkhoma Deka Solar Power Station

Nkhoma Deka Solar Power Station is a planned 50 MW (67,000 hp) solar power plant in Malawi. The solar farm is under development by a consortium comprising Solarcentury Africa (SOCA), headquartered in London, United Kingdom and Renewable Energy Services Africa (RESA), domiciled in Cape Town, South Africa. This power station is part of Malawi's efforts to increase installed national generation capacity from 400 MW, in 2021 to 1,000 MW by 2025.[1]

Nkhoma Deka Solar Power Station
Map
CountryMalawi
LocationNkhoma, Lilongwe District
Coordinates14°03′06″S 34°06′32″E / 14.05167°S 34.10889°E / -14.05167; 34.10889
StatusProposed
Construction began2023 Expected
Commission date2024 Expected
OwnerNkhoma Deka Solar Consortium
Solar farm
TypeFlat-panel PV
Power generation
Nameplate capacity50 MW (67,000 hp)

Location

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The power station would sit on 150 hectares (370 acres) of land, near the town of Nkhoma, in Lilongwe District, in the Central Region of the country.[1] Nkhoma is located approximately 55 kilometres (34 mi) southeast of Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi.[2]

Overview

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The solar farm is under development as a joint-venture between two IPPs based in the United Kingdom. Solarcentury Africa specializes in "solar photovoltaic and storage" systems on the continent. Renewable Energy Services Africa (RESA), on the other hand, is a foundation that promotes dialogue, interaction and coordination between African governments and financiers, to exploit and develop the continent's energy potential. Both SOCA and RESA are headquartered in London, United Kingdom.[1][3][4]

The developers of this renewable energy infrastructure are expected to form an ad hoc special purpose vehicle company to design, build, own, operate and maintain the power station. An energy storage system will be constructed in tandem with the solar farm. The energy generated here is expected to be sold directly to the Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (ESCOM), the Malawian national electricity utility company, for integration into the national grid.[1]

Benefits

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This power station, together with its energy storage infrastructure, will add 50 megawatts of "clean energy" to the national grid of Malawi. It will also contribute to the country's goal of increasing national installed generation capacity from 400 MW in 2021 to 1,000 MW by 2025.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Benoit-Ivan Wansi (22 December 2021). "Malawi: Solarcentury Africa and Resa to develop Nkhoma Deka Solar Park (50 MWp)". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Road Distance Between Lilongwe, Malawi And Nkhoma, Malawi" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  3. ^ Bob Koigi (24 December 2021). "Solarcentury Africa partners with RESA to develop the Nkhoma Deka Solar Park Project Malawi". Africa Business Communities. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  4. ^ African Review (23 December 2021). "Solarcentury Africa partners RESA to deliver Malawi solar park". African Review. London, United Kingdom. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  5. ^ Brian Groenendaal (26 December 2021). "Solarcentury Africa & RESA To Develop 50MW Solar PV Project In Malawi". Green Building Africa. South Africa. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
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