Senegal's national electric utility, Senelec, has entered into a 20-year Capacity Change Agreement (CCA) with Infinity Power for the development of a substantial 40MW/160MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The four-hour BESS project, slated for construction at the Tobène substation in Thies, will operate in conjunction with Infinity Power's 158.7MW wind farm, the Parc Eolien Taiba N'Diaye (PETN).
Infinity Power, a joint venture between Egyptian developer Infinity and UAE-based investment firm Masdar, plans to commence construction on the BESS in early 2024, with completion and operational status expected in 2025. The project is anticipated to be one of the largest battery storage initiatives in West Africa.
The BESS will play a pivotal role in providing ancillary services such as frequency regulation, reactive power, and energy charging and discharging. Similar to a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the Capacity Change Agreement underscores a commitment to a long-term partnership.
Senelec anticipates substantial benefits from the BESS, estimating cost savings of approximately US$165 million over its operating life. These savings will be achieved through reduced reliance on thermal power plants, enhancing grid efficiency and supporting Senegal's transition to a low-carbon economy.
Papa Mademba Biteye, General Manager at Senelec, expressed the significance of the collaboration, stating, “The capacity charge agreement project with Infinity Power plays a pivotal role across both operational and financial levels through a long-term guaranteed performance to provide increased grid stability, integrate renewable energy into Senelec's electricity grid, and empower Senegal in becoming an independent power producer.”
