On 27 November, the new 6 MW / 6 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), designed and installed by WinPower, S.A. on Santiago Island, Cape Verde, was officially inaugurated, reinforcing the country’s commitment to cleaner, more resilient and technologically advanced energy infrastructure.
The ceremony was chaired by the Prime Minister of Cape Verde and attended by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Energy, as well as institutional partners, stakeholders and community representatives, underlining the national relevance of the project and its contribution to Cape Verde’s path towards a more sustainable energy future. The event also marked the signing of the long-term financing agreement between Cabeólica and the European Investment Bank (EIB), in the presence of the European Union and the Government of Cape Verde.
This project is part of Cabeólica’s expansion plan and was made possible through a joint and coordinated commitment with strategic partners, namely Electra, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and A. P. Moller Capital, whose investment was decisive in strengthening the country’s renewable energy generation capacity. The European Union, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the African Development Bank consolidated this vision through the formalisation of a dedicated financing agreement, fundamental to the achievement of this milestone.
About the Santiago BESS
With an installed capacity of 6 MW / 6 MWh, the system plays an essential role in improving grid flexibility, frequency regulation, spinning reserve capacity and the integration of renewable energy from the adjacent wind farm.
As EPC contractor, WinPower, S.A. was responsible for the full execution of the project, including:
- engineering and project design;
- supply and associated logistics, including the management of transport between several countries and Cape Verde;
- execution of all civil and architectural works, foundations, technical trenches and equipment platforms;
- mechanical and electrical installation, covering MV, LV and DC systems;
- integrated solution with fully equipped battery containers;
- grid-forming PCS systems with Black Start capability, suitable for island mode operation and system restoration;
- fire detection and suppression systems (NOVEC), gas detection and HVAC for thermal and environmental control;
- dry-type transformers, MV switchgear (20 kV), LV distribution boards and multifunction protection relays;
- complete auxiliary services container, including UPS, auxiliary transformer, MCCs, control panels and local HMI;
- SCADA integration, including EMS interface and communication protocols with the national grid operator;
- testing, commissioning and energisation of the system.
This BESS was designed not only for peak shaving and smoothing renewable generation, but above all to ensure frequency regulation, fast active and reactive power response, reduction of wind and solar energy curtailment and support for future smart grid functionalities within the national electricity system.
As the first of four BESS systems currently under development in Cape Verde, this inauguration represents a decisive step towards a more stable, efficient and sustainable electricity system across the archipelago.
WinPower, S.A. is proud to contribute to the modernisation of Cape Verde’s energy infrastructure, through the delivery of robust engineering solutions aligned with international standards, operational reliability and long-term sustainability.
