Africa’s first 24/7 ‘solar baseload’ power plant, enabled by batteries, goes online at DRC copper mine

In fact, while the solar-plus-storage plant’s performance guarantee ensures the dispatchable supply of 30MW firm power, CrossBoundary Energy said that in early operation, the PV plant has already been providing more than 150MW of power.

Of that, 50MW has been supplied directly to the mine network, while the remaining power charges the batteries. Its maximum expected output is 180MW.

CrossBoundary Energy’s development director for the DRC, Gracia Munganga, claimed the project’s start of operations was a “significant step to mainstreaming round-the-clock renewable power.”

As well as reducing the site’s carbon emissions, the adoption of round-the-clock (RTC) renewable energy will reduce the mine operator’s exposure to diesel fuel cost volatility and supply chain risk, CrossBoundary said.

According to a project fact sheet sent to media, including Energy-Storage.news, the RTC hybrid plant operates at a 95% availability factor.