# Major Solar-Storage Project Powers DRC Copper Mine A massive solar-plus-storage facility provides continuous baseload power to the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex. - **Source:** [pv magazine](https://www.pv-magazine.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/6c573d16-8be0-4a0d-8397-2b16739df57f ## Solar Baseload Integration The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo has transitioned to solar baseload power. Since August 12, a 233 MW solar plant integrated with a 526 MWh battery system has provided continuous electricity. This project marks a significant shift for Africa’s largest copper mine, ensuring stable operations through renewable energy. ## Operational Performance Metrics The facility currently delivers a continuous 30 MW supply, with output peaking at 55 MW. During its first month of operation, the system displaced approximately 4 million liters of diesel fuel. This reduction in fossil fuel consumption represents a cost saving of roughly $11 million, demonstrating the economic viability of industrial-scale solar storage. ## Advanced Control Architecture Germany's Dhybrid Power Systems engineered the control platform, known as the Universal Power Platform. This system coordinates over 1,300 individual devices, including solar inverters, battery containers, and meteorological sensors. By managing power quality and load swings, the platform ensures the copper mine receives a constant power output despite variable weather conditions. ## Predictive Energy Management The platform utilizes a sophisticated forecasting algorithm to predict energy delivery twenty-four hours in advance. Operators set specific values, and the system autonomously manages the distribution of up to 180 MW of solar energy between the mine's operations and battery storage. This automation optimizes charging cycles and maintains stability during cloud cover. ## Hardware and Infrastructure The project utilizes over 357,000 solar modules manufactured by Aiko, alongside Sungrow solar inverters and medium-voltage stations. Battery storage is provided by Risen SYL containers, while EPC Power handles the power conversion systems. This complex integration of diverse hardware components creates a unified, reliable energy source for the remote mining site. ## Future Expansion Plans Dhybrid has secured a contract to expand the battery capacity by an additional 35 MWh, reaching a total of 561 MWh by January 2027. Furthermore, the Kamoa-Kakula complex aims to increase its on-site solar baseload capacity to 120 MW within the next 18 months, further reducing the mine's dependence on traditional power sources. ## Regional Energy Context According to the Africa Solar Industry Association, this facility stands as the largest operational solar asset in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The nation currently hosts 1,381 MW of operational solar capacity, with an additional 132 MW under construction. This project highlights the growing trend of large-scale renewable energy adoption in African mining. ## Industrial Energy Impact The successful deployment of this solar-plus-storage system demonstrates how heavy industry can effectively utilize renewable baseload power. By replacing diesel with solar, the mine significantly lowers its carbon footprint while maintaining operational efficiency. This model serves as a reference for other energy-intensive industries seeking to transition toward sustainable, reliable power solutions. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/11/12/solar-storage-project-providing-round-the-clock-power-in-drc-congo/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._