Commissioned on July 14, 2025, in Bokhol, Walo Storage is the first solar power facility in West Africa to be coupled with battery energy storage dedicated to frequency regulation. This €40 million investment was financed by Africa REN, FMO, and EAAIF/PIDG.
Dakar, Senegal, August 6, 2025 – Just one year after laying the foundation stone, Africa REN announces the commercial commissioning of Walo Storage, the first photovoltaic facility in West Africa combined with lithium-ion battery storage, designed for frequency regulation and to meet local energy needs in the event of grid loss. Delivered on time, the Bokhol site is already connected to Senelec’s grid to help regulate frequency and secure electricity supply for millions of Senegalese people.
Capable of supporting frequency regulation and peak-hour energy delivery, Walo Storage marks a
major technological breakthrough for the country. The installation facilitates the increasing integration of solar energy while avoiding the emission of 26,600 tons of CO₂ annually—the equivalent of the yearly emissions of over 18,000 cars. A pioneer in sustainable infrastructure since 2015, Africa REN reinforces its role as a key partner to Senelec in the development of Senegal’s energy mix.
The project, representing a total investment of €40 million, was financed partly by its shareholders (Metier Sustainable Capital International Fund II LLP and FMO, the Dutch development bank), and partly through debt financing from FMO and the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF) of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG). The construction phase created 217 local jobs, while the operational phase will require 30 permanent positions, contributing to the economic development of the Saint-Louis region. Africa REN has also implemented social initiatives around the site, including solar electrification of pumping stations, extension of the potable water supply network to five nearby villages, and training of local technicians in battery maintenance.
“I would like to thank our partners in Senegal, especially Senelec, for their unwavering support since our first investments in 2015. The on-time commissioning of Walo Storage demonstrates our ability to support Senegal’s energy transition using cutting-edge technology. It is also a key milestone in our ambition to build €500 million in sustainable assets by 2030,” said Gilles Parmentier, CEO of Africa REN.
For Papa Toby Gaye, CEO of Senelec, “Walo Storage provides us with a vital tool to ensure stable and reliable electricity, while significantly contributing to the diversification of our energy mix. This achievement reinforces Senegal’s pioneering role in sustainable electrification in West Africa and showcases our ability to collaborate with private sector actors and attract international financing.”