The newly-signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Solarcentury and Australian industries mineral company Syrah Resources Ltd outlines the terms and conditions under which the pair will tackle the design, funding, construction and operation of the project.
The two companies signed a pact to progress a solar-plus-storage project at the Balama graphite operation in Mozambique.
The scheme calls for the installation, subject to final design, of an 11.2-MW solar park with an 8.5-MW battery energy storage component. These will work in conjunction with an existing 15-MW diesel generation power plant at the site of the natural graphite mine and processing plant.
“Progression of a large-scale solar and battery installation will reduce the operating cost base at Balama and further strengthen the ESG credentials of Balama’s natural graphite supply and the future supply from our vertically integrated battery anode material project in Vidalia, USA,” said Shaun Verner, Syrah’s managing director and CEO.