Africa’s storage moment: Why end-to-end solutions are shaping the next phase of renewable growth

 

Africa’s renewable energy expansion is accelerating, led by solar deployment across East, West, and Southern Africa. Yet as generation capacity grows, the continent’s central challenge is shifting from installation to integration. Grid instability, diesel dependence, and weak transmission networks are placing new emphasis on battery energy storage systems (BESS) as critical infrastructure rather than optional add-ons.

In many African markets, storage is not driven by energy trading or arbitrage, but by fundamental reliability needs. Hybrid microgrids, solar-plus-storage plants, and grid-support systems are increasingly required to stabilize frequency, reduce curtailment, and ensure consistent electricity supply for communities and industry.

High ambient temperatures, dust, and remote operating environments further raise the bar for system design. Projects now demand technology that can perform safely and continuously under challenging conditions, as well as delivery models that extend beyond hardware to include engineering, controls, and long-term operation.

From components to end-to-end delivery

Across Africa, utilities and developers are increasingly shifting away from standalone equipment procurement toward integrated storage systems that combine hardware, software, and lifecycle support. This reflects growing awareness that storage performance depends as much on system design and operational intelligence as on battery technology itself.

RelyEZ has positioned its Africa strategy around an end-to-end approach to energy storage, delivering both integrated project solutions and standalone equipment. Its portfolio combines three core elements: the GridUltra containerized BESS platform, the Venture Series of flexible application solutions, and an integrated Energy Management System (EMS).

Bankability and risk management are becoming central to storage deployment, particularly for utility-scale and hybrid microgrid projects that depend on long-term financing. In response, solution providers are strengthening their technical and financial credibility through independent validation and insurance-backed frameworks. RelyEZ has achieved Tier-1 BESS classification and BBB bankability ratings, with product performance and quality warranty supported by insurance coverage from Munich Re, reflecting a growing emphasis on project security, safety assurance, and long-term operational reliability.

Products and platforms engineered for African operating conditions

GridUltra is a liquid-cooled containerized BESS platform designed for high-temperature operation and long-duration use. Its architecture prioritizes thermal stability, modular scalability, and enhanced safety key requirements for utility and commercial projects in Africa’s demanding climates.

The Venture Series extends this platform into a family of solutions tailored for multiple use cases, including utility-scale renewable integration, commercial and industrial backup power, and hybrid solar-storage-diesel microgrids. This modular structure allows faster deployment while maintaining consistent system standards across different project sizes and locations.

At the intelligence layer, RelyEZ’s EMS transforms storage systems into controllable grid assets. It enables real-time monitoring, optimized charge and discharge strategies, integration with solar and diesel generation, and support for grid services such as peak management and frequency stabilization.

Project delivery aligned with Africa’s needs

RelyEZ’s current African deployments reflect the continent’s most urgent priorities: energy access and reliability.

In Kenya, the company has secured a contract to deliver integrated solar-storage-diesel microgrid systems for nine remote villages across Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, and Isiolo counties under the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC). These systems aim to replace unreliable diesel generation with stable hybrid power, improving electricity access while reducing fuel consumption and operating costs.

In West Africa, RelyEZ has also won a large-scale EPC project in Burkina Faso, comprising 40 MW of photovoltaic generation coupled with a 10 MW/30 MWh battery energy storage system. The project is designed to support the power supply in the Koudougou area by enhancing grid stability and improving supply reliability through PV-plus-BESS integration.

Looking ahead

As Africa’s renewable transition enters a new phase, battery storage is becoming the backbone of resilient power systems. End-to-end delivery models that combine robust hardware, intelligent control, and lifecycle support are increasingly essential to ensure long-term project performance.

Through its GridUltra platform, Venture Series solutions, and EMS technology, RelyEZ is aligning its capabilities with the continent’s growing demand for integrated and reliable energy storage infrastructure.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of RelyEZ.

For further information and project discussions related to Africa, please contact:
Jonathan Wei
wejianghai@relyez.com

Teddy Tang
teddy.tang@relyez.com