By Durell Namasani
Malawi has taken a significant step forward in its energy transition with the official commissioning of its first grid-forming utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Kanengo Substation in Lilongwe.
The 20MW/40MWh project was inaugurated on 24 July 2026 by Hon. Dr. Jean Mathanga, Minister of Energy, alongside representatives from the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) and other government officials, marking the start of commercial operations for the nation’s inaugural utility-scale BESS.
This landmark project is expected to strengthen grid reliability, enhance energy security, and support the seamless integration of renewable energy into Malawi’s electricity network, addressing critical challenges such as power intermittency and supply stability. JIVO Energy served as the turnkey Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor, overseeing the entire delivery from engineering and procurement through to construction, testing, and commissioning.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jorge Lascas, Chief Commercial Officer at JIVO Energy, expressed pride in the achievement, stating that the project demonstrates the company’s ability to deliver complex, high-impact energy infrastructure to international standards using Tier-1 equipment. Lascas also commended the project team for their dedication, resilience, and meticulous attention to detail, noting that they met every engineering challenge with unwavering commitment. The successful delivery of the Kanengo BESS reflects strong collaboration between the Government of Malawi, ESCOM, JIVO Energy, and other stakeholders, underscoring a collective commitment to modernising the country’s power grid. JIVO Energy, which has been active in renewable energy across Africa and Asia since 2018, focuses on project development, EPC, O&M, and investing in renewables, while also providing technical feasibility and services to developers and investors in Europe.
With operations in more than 15 African countries and offices in India, UAE, Portugal, Mauritius, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Cape Verde, the company has successfully implemented projects in Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Malawi, Cape Verde, Sao Tome, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Liberia, and Zambia. To date, JIVO Energy has constructed or has under construction over 100MWp of Solar PV and more than 60MWh of BESS, with an additional 200MWp+ of Solar PV and 150MWh+ of BESS under development across 12 African countries.
