Senegal has inaugurated a solar power plant equipped with battery storage in the northern Saint-Louis region, marking a milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen grid stability and expand the use of renewable energy.
The Walo Storage power plant, located in Bokhol, combines a 16-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar facility with a battery storage system rated at 10 megawatts and 20 megawatt-hours, authorities said. The project was officially inaugurated on Jan. 22 in a ceremony attended by local officials, representatives of technical and financial partners and the chief executive of state-owned utility Senelec, Papa Toby Gaye, on behalf of the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mines.
The plant entered commercial operation in July 2025. According to its developers, it is Senegal’s first solar power facility equipped with battery storage dedicated specifically to frequency regulation and is among the first projects of its kind in West Africa.
Authorities said the project is designed to improve the stability of Senegal’s electricity grid, facilitate the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources and help secure power supply during periods of grid disturbance. Battery storage allows excess solar power generated during the day to be stored and released when demand is high or generation from other sources is disrupted.
The Walo Storage project was developed by Africa REN at a total cost of about €40 million. Equity financing was provided by the developer’s shareholders, while debt financing came from the Dutch development bank FMO and the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF), which is backed by the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG).
The facility is directly connected to the national grid operated by Senelec. In addition to supplying electricity during peak demand, it provides frequency regulation services, which help maintain the balance between electricity supply and demand and reduce the risk of outages.
“Walo Storage provides us with an essential tool to guarantee stable and reliable electricity while contributing significantly to the diversification of our energy mix,” Gaye said during the commissioning of the plant. “This achievement strengthens Senegal’s pioneering role in sustainable electrification in West Africa and demonstrates our ability to work with private-sector partners and mobilise international financing.”
Senegal has made renewable energy development a central pillar of its energy strategy as it seeks to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, limit exposure to price volatility and meet rising electricity demand driven by population growth and economic expansion.
More Read
The inauguration comes as the country accelerates the deployment of solar power projects combined with battery storage. In May 2025, pan-African energy developer AXIAN Energy launched construction of the NEA Kolda power plant, a 60-megawatt solar facility paired with 72 megawatt-hours of battery storage. The project is backed by financing exceeding €105 million.
Officials say battery storage is increasingly seen as critical to Senegal’s energy transition, allowing renewable generation to play a larger role in the power system without compromising reliability. Solar power currently accounts for a growing share of installed capacity, alongside wind and hydropower.
The projects also align with Senegal’s commitments under its National Energy Pact, developed as part of the Mission 300 initiative, which aims to expand electricity access across Africa. Under the pact, Senegal has set a target of achieving universal access to electricity by 2029 and increasing the share of renewable energy to 40% of total power generation by 2030.
International development partners have highlighted Senegal as a regional leader in renewable energy deployment, citing a relatively strong regulatory framework and growing private-sector participation.
Officials said further solar and storage projects are planned as part of efforts to modernise the grid, improve energy security and support the country’s long-term development objectives.
No additional projects were announced at the inauguration ceremony.
