Eramet Grande Côte, a mining company and subsidiary of Eramet Group, and JUWI Renewable Energies, a renewable energy project developer and wholly owned subsidiary of MVV Energie, reached financial closure for an off-grid solar-plus-battery-storage project in Senegal. The project includes 20 MW of solar and 11 MWh of battery storage capacity.
The project is expected to supply about 20% of the mine’s power upon completion and cut carbon emissions by 25,000 tons annually while creating more than 100 jobs during the construction and maintenance phases, as per the company.
JUWI Renewable Energies will provide expertise in off-grid solar and storage solutions and engineering capabilities for complex ground conditions. The off-grid project will also reduce the mine’s reliance on heavy fuel oil, contributing to its decarbonization efforts.
“As part of our commitment to Africa’s clean energy transition, we’re excited to partner with Eramet Grande Côte on their first off-grid solar and storage project,” said Richard Doyle, MD, JUWI Renewable Energies. “This is another milestone for JUWI in delivering off-grid hybrid solutions to the mining sector and industrial-scale operations. Integrating renewable energy and storage into mining operations is crucial for reducing carbon footprints and costs while boosting efficiency, safety, and resilience. Our experience in this field enables us to support the fight against climate change while driving economic growth.”
According to Mercom’s 9M and Q3 2024 Solar Funding and M&A report, large-scale project funding in 9M 2024 totaled $34.3 billion in 180 deals, up from $27.5 billion in 169 deals in 9M 2023.
Last week, AXIAN Energy, a renewable energy project developer, secured €84 million (~$89.69 million) in financing for two solar plants with energy storage systems in the southern Senegalese region of Kolda. A group of lenders comprising the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank FMO, the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF), and Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG) provided the funding.
