The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a grant to WHN Solar, S.A., for a feasibility study to assess the viability of solar photovoltaic (PV) project of up to 100 MW. The project will be developed in increments of 20-40 MW and will include an associated energy storage facility located on the property of Nacala International Airport in Nampula Province in northeastern Mozambique.

WHN Solar has selected HDR International, Inc. (Omaha, NE), a multidisciplinary engineering, environmental, and consulting firm, to conduct the feasibility study. The study supports the development of the Mozambican grid in the Nacala region, which suffers from a lack of generation capacity and stability issues. The energy storage component of the project is expected to help stabilize the grid.

“USTDA is pleased to support this important project that will help diversify Mozambique’s energy generation mix,” said Paul Marin, USTDA’s Acting Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa.

“At the same time, the project represents business opportunities for U.S. companies in a key sector in Mozambique,” he added.

“We wish to thank USTDA for its contribution to the development of this pioneering project,” said Ntanzi Carrilho, Executive Director and CEO of WHN Solar. “With USTDA’s support, we hope to improve the quality and security of power supply in the region, with a positive impact on local communities.”

Mercom previously reported that off-grid solar solutions are being utilized to provide access to electricity in Mozambique and other regions in Africa.

Meanwhile, in India, USTDA recently announced a grant for the IL&FS Energy Development Company Limited (IEDCL) for the development of a 41 MW hybrid wind, solar, and energy storage power project in Andhra Pradesh. This project is being supported under the U.S. – India Energy Cooperation Program (ECP) which was launched by the USTDA, the Indian government, and the U.S. private sector in 2010.