PROJECTS / Rev-Up 200 MW Solar PV BESS Feasibility Study

Rev-Up 200 MW Solar PV BESS Feasibility Study

Sub-Saharan Africa

January 15, 2025

Funded by a USTDA grant, Rev-Up Solar Ventures engaged Bates White, who subcontracted K&M Advisors to support a feasibility study for the development of a 200 MW Solar PV + Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) power plant in Solwezi, Zambia. The project aims to supply clean, reliable electricity to Zambia’s industry and households and potentially power two critical mineral mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This initiative addresses Zambia’s increasing energy demand and challenges in hydropower generation caused by climate change. The study will provide technical and financial recommendations to guide the project’s implementation, marking USTDA’s second BESS initiative in Zambia following a prior study in the Sesheke District.

K&M Advisors contributed extensively to the project by supporting the development of a detailed Work Plan, participating in the kick-off meeting and site visit in Zambia, and providing inputs for the Inception Report. K&M conducted a comprehensive Preliminary Grid Connection Study, assessed the project site, performed a Solar Resource and PV Yield Analysis, and developed the Battery Energy Storage Value Proposition with a Battery Dispatch Model and system sizing recommendations.

K&M reviewed Zambia’s regulatory framework, created a Regulatory Process Document, and prepared a Compliance Matrix to ensure regulatory alignment. The team provided strategic input on commercialization options for the project and completed the Project Preliminary Design Information along with a Full Grid Connection Study to evaluate technical integration into the national grid.

To support engineering design, K&M carried out topographical, geotechnical, and hydrological studies, including 10 borings to provide essential site data for EPC contractors. A thorough Technology Analysis of solar modules, inverters, battery storage systems, and trackers was completed, followed by the development of Basic Engineering Designs and Technical Specifications.

K&M developed a comprehensive financial model and provided detailed capital and O&M cost estimates to assess the project’s financial viability, utilizing commercial assumptions provided by Bates White. Additionally, K&M prepared a full Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for submission to ZEMA and identified potential U.S. manufacturers and suppliers for project equipment and services.

Lastly, K&M consolidated all findings into the project’s Final Report, covering all technical, financial, regulatory, and environmental aspects, ensuring a robust foundation for the successful development of the Solar PV + BESS power plant in Zambia.

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