CrossBoundary Energy’s solar PV and battery energy storage system (BESS) facility for Kamoa Copper S.A. has achieved commercial operation and is now supplying 30 MW baseload power from the sun to Africa’s largest copper mining complex
The project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) highlights growing interest in renewable and alternative power sources to offset reliance on traditional thermal gensets for remote mining operations and reduce diesel cost volatility, as well as supply chain risk.
“Achieving this milestone with Kamoa Copper S.A. is a significant step to mainstreaming round-the-clock renewable power,” said Gracia Munganga, project development director at CrossBoundary Energy.
“It proves how quickly clean, stable energy can be deployed – and the great potential of renewable energy solutions to support the mining sector’s ambitious growth.”
Kamoa Copper S.A., a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin Mining Group, and the DRC government, signed the power purchase agreement with CrossBoundary Energy in April 2025, just 16 months ago.
Key takeaways:
• CrossBoundary Energy’s baseload solar/BESS plant in the DRC has reached commercial operation, just 16 months after signing a PPA with Kamoa Copper S.A. in April 2025
• The solution comprises 233 MWp solar PV and 123 MVA/526 MWh BESS that will supply the mine with 30 MW firm power from solar and batteries
• Reaching commercial operation date 16 months after PPA signing makes it the fastest solar/BESS project of this type and scale to be delivered on the African continent
Powering growth
The installed energy system consists of a 233 MWp solar PV array and 123 MVA/526 MWh BESS to supply at least 30 MW baseload power to the mine.
According to a statement by CrossBoundary Energy, firm renewable electricity costs have fallen by around 50% over five years, making solar-plus-storage “cheaper” than conventional thermal baseload generation.
The speed of delivery ensures that Kamoa-Kakula will receive cheaper and cleaner electrons years ahead of other power supply options, it noted.
Auguy Bakome, project manager at Kamoa Copper S.A., said the speed at which the project was delivered also demonstrates how quickly renewable energy can be deployed at scale to support remote mining operations.
“This project shows that solar and battery storage can deliver dependable, sustainable and cost-effective baseload power for large mining operations,” he said.
“We are confident that renewable energy will continue to play a critical role in supporting the growth of our operations and the mining sector more broadly."
Environmental impact
The project also allows the mine site to expand production at the same time as reducing environmental impact, according to Annebel Oosthuizen, managing director at Kamoa Copper S.A., who noted that Kamoa-Kakula copper production is among the lowest carbon-intensive in the world.
“The new facility by CrossBoundary Energy will help power our planned growth in copper production, delivering an additional 30 megawatts of reliable, renewable baseload power."
Read more:
Tanzania opens Julius Nyerere hydropower plant
On-site power boost for Kamoa Copper
A glimpse of the new power plant in the DRC (Image source: CrossBoundary Energy)
