Webinar: Regulating Energy Storage in Africa

Overview

Africa’s energy landscape was undergoing a significant transformation, with a growing emphasis on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. These intermittent energy sources required effective energy storage solutions to ensure grid stability and reliability. The rapid decline in battery costs—over 90% since 2010—had made large-scale energy storage more feasible.

Initiatives such as South Africa’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, funded by the Bank, aimed to support grid stability and manage peak demand. The project included large-scale utility batteries with a daily capacity of 1,440 MWh and 60 MW of solar PV. The Bank was also funding a technical feasibility, policy, and regulatory diagnostics study for the adoption and implementation of grid-connected BESS in Nigeria. Additionally, during COP28, several African countries expressed interest in joining the Battery Energy Storage Systems Consortium, aiming to transform Africa’s energy landscape through advanced energy storage solutions. However, regulatory frameworks governing energy storage remained underdeveloped across many African countries, creating barriers to investment and deployment.

The webinar addressed key regulatory challenges and opportunities in the energy storage sector. It explored policy frameworks, market incentives, and technical standards needed to foster innovation and attract investment. The session also highlighted successful case studies from African nations and international markets, offering insights into best practices for establishing a regulatory environment that supported the scaling up of energy storage solutions.