By Linda Kwanjana
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) announced a major leap in the country’s energy modernization with the delivery of 12 primary Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) containers to the Kanengo project site in Lilongwe.
Arriving on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, the 20-megawatt units are the centerpiece of a USD 20.245 million initiative funded by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) aimed at stabilizing the national power grid and drastically reducing load shedding across the country.
The delivery keeps the high-priority project firmly on schedule for its February 2026 commissioning deadline, moving the nation from the design phase of its energy evolution into a physical reality.
Once operational, the system will function as a massive power reservoir that stores energy during low-demand hours to be discharged during peak evening periods, directly addressing the shortfall that currently necessitates rolling blackouts.
Beyond simple storage, the BESS units are designed to serve as a critical “shock absorber” for the national infrastructure by providing near-instantaneous frequency regulation to prevent equipment damage and blackouts.
This capability is essential for the integration of renewable energy sources, as the batteries will smooth out the inherent fluctuations of solar power caused by clouds or sunset, ensuring that the transition to greener energy does not come at the cost of reliability.
ESCOM Acting Chief Executive Officer Eng. Sinosi Maliano hailed the arrival as “the physical manifestation of ESCOM’s commitment to a resilient grid for all Malawians”.
He noted that the arrival of these containers marks the beginning of a journey toward the delivery of stable power to customers, transitioning the country’s energy infrastructure into a modernized, 21st-century system.
With a total capacity of 30 megawatt-hours, the Kanengo facility represents one of the most significant investments in Malawi’s power stability to date.
As engineers begin the final installation phase, the project remains a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to foster economic growth through a reliable and consistent electricity supply.
