AIKO supplies Africa’s First Solar-Plus-Storage Baseload Plant as CrossBoundary Energy’s 233MW Kamoa Project in the DR Congo
September 16th, 2026
The Kamoa 233MW solar project, developed, owned, and operated by CrossBoundary Energy to supply clean electricity to the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mining Complex, has been commissioned in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and entered full commercial operation on August 12, 2026. The project is the first industrial-scale power plant in Africa to deliver continuous, round-the-clock baseload power entirely from a solar-plus-storage hybrid system. It is powered by AIKO’s high-efficiency ABC modules, which were installed during the project’s record pace of just 16 months-a record-breaking pace for comparable projects in Africa. It sets a replicable benchmark for the green decarbonization of mining operations.
Charlton Leendertz, Head of Supply Chain Management at CrossBoundary Energy, commented: “AIKO’s ABC modules were selected for Africa’s first round-the-clock solar-plus-storage baseload plant. We valued their high efficiency and reliability under high‑temperature, high‑irradiance operating conditions, comprehensive long‑term warranty coverage, and reliable delivery schedule that enabled this accelerated project timeline.”
Delivering Performance Under African Mining Conditions
The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mining Complex, operated by Kamoa Copper SA in Lualaba Province, DRC, is one of the world’s largest and highest-grade copper mines-a truly world-class copper operation. Located in Kolwezi adjacent to the complex, the Kamoa-Kakula solar/BESS baseload project is Africa’s first mining-region renewable energy project to achieve coordinated solar-plus-storage power supply with round-the-clock availability. By combining high-efficiency solar generation with large-scale energy storage, the project replaces diesel power generation. From PPA signing in April 2025 to grid connection in the second quarter of 2026, the project took only 16 months. AIKO’s timely module delivery, combined with lower LCOE, not only shields mining operators from energy price volatility but also builds a significant green premium advantage under the EU’s CBAM, further validating the commercial viability of solar-plus-storage baseload solutions for industrial energy use across Africa.
AIKO’s ABC modules, AIKO-A655-GRH66Dw, deliver 24.2% efficiency and a power output of 655Wp, achieving 30W more than leading TOPCon products in the same area. Engineered for the extreme conditions of African mining regions, AIKO’s ABC technology delivers a lower temperature coefficient and hot-spot suppression, ensuring stable output in the harshest operating environments.
The 360,000 modules are expected to generate around 300 GWh of annual electricity, translating into total lifecycle generation of 7.8 TWh over 30 years, while avoiding approximately 78,750 tons of CO₂ emissions each year. AIKO provides a 15-year product warranty and a 30-year power warranty-delivering stable, low-cost green power to the mining operation continuously.
The project comes during a DRC’s energy transition, as the country’s power sector shifts from hydro-dominated generation toward diversified power. With the landmark commissioning, AIKO further secures its position in Africa’s growth market and expands its global renewable energy footprint. The Kamoa plant will not only deliver low-cost clean energy, but also serve as a leading demonstration of mining-power integration for the DRC and Africa. AIKO remains committed to working with partners worldwide to deliver high-efficiency, reliable solar solutions that accelerate the transition toward a carbon-free society.
Photos Credit: Kamoa Copper S.A.
