At a Glance
- Senegal unveils West Africa’s first $46.5 million solar battery plant to boost grid stability.
- Walo Storage cuts 26,000 tons of CO₂ yearly, powering homes with clean, reliable energy.
- Backed by European funding, the project sets a model for Africa’s energy storage future.
Senegal has inaugurated West Africa’s first grid-connected solar battery storage facility, a $46.5 million milestone project aimed at enhancing clean energy reliability and reducing carbon emissions across the region.
Located in the northern town of Bokhol, the Walo Storage project combines photovoltaic solar panels with a cutting-edge lithium-ion battery system, representing the first commercial-scale solar-plus-storage initiative in West Africa.
The plant’s launch marks a pivotal moment in Senegal’s renewable energy transition, as the nation ramps up efforts to modernize its grid and meet surging power demands.
A flagship clean energy project backed by European investors
The facility was developed by Paris-based Africa REN, a renewable energy company focused on sustainable infrastructure across Africa.
Backed by funding from major European development institutions, the Walo project aims to serve as a blueprint for similar battery energy storage systems (BESS) throughout the region.
“The Walo Storage facility is more than just a power plant—it’s a model for Africa’s energy future,” said Gilles Parmentier, CEO of Africa REN. “Our goal is to scale solar-plus-storage technology across West Africa, whether integrated with solar farms or deployed independently to stabilize national grids.”
With a generation capacity of 16 megawatts (MW) and high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, the plant is capable of storing excess solar power during the day and releasing it during evening peaks or periods of grid instability—a key innovation in Africa’s push for energy resilience.
Carbon emissions reduction and energy access gains
The Walo Storage project is expected to reduce over 26,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, roughly equivalent to removing 18,000 cars from circulation.
It also plays a critical role in reducing Senegal’s dependence on fossil fuels while helping the country fulfill its clean energy and climate goals.
Senegal, with a population exceeding 18 million, is aggressively investing in renewable energy infrastructure to expand electricity access and support economic growth.
The Walo plant reinforces this commitment, ensuring more reliable, low-carbon energy for homes and businesses.
National utility taps into renewable innovation
According to Papa Toby Gaye, CEO of Senegal’s national utility SENELEC, the plant has already begun feeding power into the national grid.
“The Walo Storage plant sets a new benchmark for renewable infrastructure in West Africa,” said Gaye.
“It strengthens our national grid and supports our strategy to diversify the country’s energy mix through solar and battery innovations.”
Solar battery storage marks a new energy era for Africa
As climate pressures intensify and the demand for electricity surges, Senegal’s clean energy strategy underscores a wider continental trend: African nations leveraging solar battery storage to leapfrog fossil-based systems and build resilient, sustainable power networks.
The Walo project is expected to catalyze similar investments across the region, signaling West Africa’s arrival as a rising hub for energy innovation and sustainable development.
