Cabo Verde is advancing its clean energy goals with the €19.6 million Cabeólica Phase II Expansion Project, supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA). This initiative will combine 13.5 megawatts of new wind power with 26 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage across four islands: Santiago, Sal, Boa Vista, and São Vicente.
Cabeólica Phase II is the country’s first renewable energy project featuring integrated battery storage. This innovative system will enhance grid stability by balancing fluctuations in wind power. It will improve frequency and voltage regulation while reducing the waste of surplus energy. As a result, the national utility, Electra S.A., will be able to replace costly imported fossil fuels with over 60 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity annually, leading to a reduction in carbon emissions of 50,000 tonnes each year.
Cabeólica S.A., Cabo Verde’s pioneering independent power producer, is leading the implementation. Its ownership includes the Africa Finance Corporation, A.P. Moller Capital, and national entities. The project is supported by a 20-year power purchase and storage agreement with Electra S.A., ensuring lower tariffs compared to existing fossil-based generation. This expansion directly supports Cabo Verde’s strategic goal of sourcing 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. It also contributes to its Paris Agreement commitments and enhances national energy security. The project highlights how vulnerable island nations can tap into innovative technologies and international support to build resilient, low-carbon energy systems.
