Bringing its hybrid infrastructure into commercial operation on August 25, 2026, developer CrossBoundary Energy guarantees the continuous supply of 30 MW of baseload power to the Kamoa-Kakula copper deposit. 


According to a commercial agreement signed in April 2025, the facility combines 233 MWc of photovoltaic energy with a 526 MWh storage reservoir, achieving a 95% operational availability rate. The technical deployment requires massive oversizing of equipment to compensate for deficits in the national public grid and secure mineral extraction.

The decarbonization dynamic is gaining ground in Southern Africa, exemplified by First Quantum Minerals' commitment to a 100 MW park in Zambia, or by the solar and wind projects led by Anglo American with EDF Power Solutions in South Africa. Facilitated by a 50% drop in photovoltaic module costs and a 30% decline in battery prices since 2023, the adoption of these autonomous energy solutions is transforming the cost structure of extractive companies' operations.

Supported by storage technology optimization, clean electrification of mining sites strengthens the attractiveness of investments in the continental extractive sector. The progressive reduction of installation overcosts will determine the extension of the model to other production basins.

Upon completion of the initial deployment, the integration of industrial photovoltaics guarantees the long-term viability of the regional metallurgical value chain. 

Mastery of renewable electricity supply has now become the primary factor of competitiveness for mining giants operating in Central Africa.


Nlend Flore

Tags: mines rdcongo énergie solaire stockage batterie crossboundary energy kamoa-kakula first quantum afrique centrale décentralisation énergétique mines vertes transition énergétique