Masdar Commissions 20MW Solar PV and 16MWh Energy Storage Project in the Comoros

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Comorian President Azali Assoumani inaugurated three new solar power plants in the country. The project was financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) with approximately AED 84.4 million, implemented by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company Masdar, and operated and managed by Global South Utilities, with a total installed capacity of approximately 20MW, accompanied by a 16MWh battery energy storage system.

The three solar power plants are located on Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Mohéli respectively, with Grande Comore having an installed capacity of 12.86MW, Anjouan 4.05MW, and Mohéli 3.1MW. The project also includes battery energy storage systems with a total capacity of 16MWh and an output of 8MW on Grande Comore and Anjouan, as well as approximately 30 kilometers of new 20kV medium-voltage overhead transmission lines, aimed at enhancing renewable energy consumption and grid stability.

According to technical estimates, the three power plants can generate approximately 33.75GWh annually, meeting the electricity demand of approximately 17,500 households and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 20,900 tonnes per year. Once operational, the project can provide clean electricity equivalent to approximately 13.3% of the Comoros' national electricity demand and 22.5% of its existing actual power generation.

The Comoros' power system has long been highly dependent on imported diesel. In 2024, diesel accounted for approximately 91% of the country's energy mix, with annual electricity demand of approximately 254GWh, while actual power generation was only approximately 150GWh, with approximately 3,000 power outages occurring during the same period. With the commissioning of this 20MW solar PV and energy storage system, local power generation capacity will be directly increased, and the reliability of island grid power supply will be improved through energy storage and medium-voltage line construction.

The project is jointly implemented by UAE funding, energy development companies, and operators, covering three types of infrastructure: solar power plants, energy storage systems, and transmission lines. For the Comoros, this commissioning not only adds new renewable energy installed capacity, but also forms a complete power infrastructure portfolio from generation and energy storage to grid-connected transmission.