Syrah Resources Limited has achieved full operations of the Solar & Battery Hybrid System, consisting of 11.25 MWp solar array and 8.5 MW/MWh battery energy storage system, at its Balama Graphite Operations in Mozambique.
The Solar & Battery Hybrid System will contribute at least 35% of Balama’s average site power requirements, reducing diesel consumption and carbon emissions. It can supply power during peak daylight hours and continuously, if not operating. Balama’s diesel power generation plant (Diesel Gensets) will provide baseload power overnight and incremental power during daylight hours, considering solar irradiation, system availability, and site power demand. An automated power management system will optimise integrated power generation at Balama.
Integrated power supply from the Solar & Battery Hybrid System and Diesel Gensets was achieved during operational testing over 10 days during Balama’s recent production campaign with:
- ~33% of the total power draw supplied by the hybrid system;
- ~34% average reduction in fuel consumed per KWh power generated, corresponding to ~16,000 litres saved each day, and an improvement in the reliability and efficiency of the Diesel Gensets; and
- the Solar & Battery Hybrid System powering plant and site for 8 hours per day, on average, during daylight hours
Syrah has partnered with Solarcentury Africa Limited for the engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of the hybrid system. The Solar & Battery Hybrid System is under a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) arrangement, with a 10-year operating lease and maintenance contract with a Mozambique-incorporated project company wholly-owned by CrossBoundary Energy (CBE). Operations and ownership will be transferred to Syrah at no cost at the end of the 10-year BOOT term.
The Solar & Battery Hybrid System is set to significantly reduce the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of Balama natural graphite products. Syrah’s independent lifecycle assessment shows that the system will decrease the GWP from 0.48kg to 0.42kg CO2 equivalent per 1kg natural graphite, a 12.5% reduction. The system is expected to reduce Balama’s GWP by 18kt CO2 equivalent per annum over its operation’s lifespan.
Syrah is evaluating options to optimise Balama’s power generation solution to reduce operating costs, lower GWP, and ensure reliable power supply with high plant capacity utilisation.
“The achievement of full operations of the Solar & Battery Hybrid System is the culmination of extensive feasibility study, equipment procurement, construction and commissioning activities completed by the Syrah team, Solarcentury Africa and CrossBoundary Energy over several years. The Solar & Battery System delivers significant net operating cost savings, reduces our exposure to volatile, high diesel costs and further strengthens the ESG credentials of Balama’s natural graphite products. We look forward to continuing to work with CBE through the operating lease term,” Syrah Managing Director and CEO Shaun Verner said.
