DRC’s Kamoa-Kakula Begins 24/7 Solar Power From 233MW Renewable Energy System
The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has begun receiving round-the-clock electricity from a 233 MWp solar farm and 526 MWh battery storage system, strengthening power security at one of Africa’s largest copper operations.
The facility reached commercial operation on 12 August 2026 and is designed to provide at least 30MW of continuous electricity, including during periods when the solar panels are not generating power.
Developed by CrossBoundary Energy, the system combines large-scale solar generation with battery storage, allowing electricity produced during the day to be stored and released when solar generation falls.
CrossBoundary has described the facility as Africa’s first operational solar-and-battery project designed to provide baseload electricity at this scale.
The company also said the project was completed in 16 months, compared with an estimated average of 29 months for comparable African solar and battery projects, although these claims have not been independently verified.
Strengthening Mine Power Supply
Reliable electricity is critical to Kamoa-Kakula’s continued production and expansion. The complex already receives a significant portion of its electricity from hydropower, but instability in the DRC’s power system has previously required the operation to rely on diesel generators and imported electricity.
The new solar-battery system is expected to reduce exposure to diesel price volatility, fuel supply disruptions and grid instability, while providing a more predictable source of power for mining and processing operations.
Kamoa-Kakula is operated by Ivanhoe Mines and jointly owned by Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin Mining, Crystal River Global and the DRC government.
The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has begun receiving round-the-clock renewable electricity from a 233 MWp solar farm and 526 MWh battery storage system, strengthening power security at one of Africa’s largest copper operations.
The facility reached commercial operation on 12 August 2026, providing at least 30 MW of firm, continuous power to Kamoa Copper S.A.
The milestone was announced by project developer CrossBoundary Energy on 25 August 2026.
The project’s development began with the signing of a power purchase agreement (PPA) in April 2025 between Kamoa Copper and CrossBoundary Energy. The facility subsequently reached commercial operation just 16 months later, significantly faster than the approximately 29-month average for comparable utility-scale solar and battery projects in Africa.
The project also received regulatory approval from the DRC’s Electricity Sector Regulatory Authority on 11 February 2026, allowing construction to advance. Construction had passed the halfway point by March 2026, while phased commissioning and performance testing began in June 2026.
Strengthening Mine Power Supply
The facility combines a 233 MWp solar photovoltaic array with a 123 MVA/526 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS).
The batteries store surplus solar power during the day and release it when solar generation declines, enabling the system to provide continuous electricity beyond daylight hours.
Reliable electricity is critical to Kamoa-Kakula’s production and expansion plans. The complex already receives much of its electricity from hydropower, but instability in the DRC’s power system has previously required the mine to use diesel generators and import electricity from neighbouring countries.
The solar-battery system is expected to reduce the operation’s exposure to diesel-price volatility and fuel-supply disruptions, while providing a more predictable source of renewable power.
Kamoa-Kakula produced approximately 388,800 tonnes of copper in 2025 and generated US$3.28 billion in revenue.
Its on-site smelter has an annual processing capacity of 500,000 tonnes of copper, making it Africa’s largest copper smelter.
Supporting Future Expansion
Kamoa-Kakula is operated by Ivanhoe Mines and jointly owned by Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin Mining, Crystal River Global and the DRC government.
Kamoa Copper Managing Director Annebel Oosthuizen said the additional 30 MW of renewable baseload power will support the complex’s planned growth in copper production.
The project represents a significant development in renewable energy for Africa’s mining industry, demonstrating how large-scale solar generation combined with battery storage can provide firm power for energy-intensive mining operations.
For Kamoa-Kakula, the system adds a more reliable renewable power source as the complex expands, while potentially reducing dependence on diesel and strengthening the resilience of its electricity supply.
The complex produced approximately 388,800 tonnes of copper in 2025 and generated US$3.28 billion in revenue.
The operation also has an on-site smelter capable of processing 500,000 tonnes of copper annually, making it Africa’s largest copper smelter.
Supporting Copper Expansion
The solar-battery project forms part of efforts to provide more reliable and sustainable energy as Kamoa-Kakula expands its production capacity.
Ivanhoe Mines has indicated that it plans to increase the complex’s solar baseload capacity as copper production grows, potentially allowing renewable energy to play a larger role in powering one of the DRC’s most important mining operations.
The project highlights the growing role of renewable energy and battery storage in addressing power reliability challenges across Africa’s energy-intensive mining sector, while helping major copper producers reduce their dependence on diesel and improve the resilience of their operations.
