USTDA provides grant for feasibility study into 400MWh BESS rollout in Zambia

LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email

The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is funding the assessment of a large-scale battery energy storage project in Zambia, which could grow into a 400MWh nationwide rollout.

The independent agency of the US government announced the undisclosed grant to local firm GreenCo Power Storage Limited (GreenCo) last week (31 March).

GreenCo will use the funding to assess the technical, economic, and financial viability of deploying a utility-scale project in the Sesheke District, with the chosen technology and system design still to be chosen.

A media statement didn’t disclose the planned size of the unit but said it would be ‘one of the largest such battery installations in all of Africa’. It said it would help facilitate the integration of renewable energy resources in Zambia and ensure the stability and reliability of the grid.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Enjoy 12 months of exclusive analysis

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Annual digital subscription to the PV Tech Power journal
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The project would also ‘place Zambia at the centre of renewable energy trading across southern Africa’ through the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAAP), the international power grid between a dozen countries in southern Africa.

That pilot project will then inform an expanded 400MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) rollout across the country. The study will also include economic and financial analysis for operating the pilot project and larger portfolio.

GreenCo describes itself as an intermediary offtaker and service provider, purchasing power from renewable independent power producers (IPPs) and selling that to utilities and private sector offtakers in Zambia and the wider SAAP.

“We are excited to receive USTDA’s support in developing Zambia’s first utility scale BESS, which will help increase the solar PV and wind power capacities that can be safely connected to the national grid,” said GreenCo Group CEO Ana Hajduka. “The BESS and the solar PV pilot project will directly enable are expected to create 600 short-term and 20 long-term jobs. We look forward to working with the Zambia Energy Regulatory Board, ZESCO and the Government of Zambia in ensuring the project’s success.”

GreenCO announced plans to procure a 40MWh BESS project in Zambia from IPPs and developers in July last year, inviting them to submit expressions of interest (EOIs). It is not clear if the projects are related.

The USTDA has previously funded feasibility studies into BESS projects elsewhere in Africa, including Mozambique, Senegal, Cameroon and Sierra Leone, reported on by Energy-Storage.news.

Read Next

October 2, 2025
The TSO of Italy has completed its first MACSE auctions for energy storage, procuring 10GWh of capacity at what the NHOA CEO called ‘exceptionally competitive prices’.
Premium
September 30, 2025
We catch up with executives from second life specialist BESS integrator Voltfang and investor Palladio Partners to discuss their recent €250 million (US$293 million) partnership to deploy projects in Germany.
September 26, 2025
Investment and IPP news from across Europe, with DTEK buying a BESS project in Poland, Ingrid inaugurating one in Sweden and Triodos investing in a German portfolio.
September 25, 2025
Microsoft, Sunrock, Zurich, and AlphaStruxure are among 20 participants joining Schneider Electric to deploy community-based energy systems across the US, supporting public and private sector organisations with “innovative solutions” and financing.
September 24, 2025
A trio of energy storage startups: XL Batteries, Unbound Potential and Fourth Power, have raised financing for emerging flow battery and thermal storage technologies.

Most Popular

Email Newsletter