Senegal is adding battery storage to its national power grid as part of efforts to stabilise electricity supply and avoid blackouts.

State utility Senelec SA, in partnership with Africa REN, is adding 10 megawatts of battery storage that’s capable of holding up to 20 megawatt-hours of electricity to an existing 16-megawatt solar plant, the partners said in a statement on Wednesday.

Senegal, which recently joined the ranks of oil and gas producers, is working to increase the share of renewable energy, like solar and wind power, in its energy mix.

Its broader energy strategy includes using locally produced liquefied natural gas to power electricity plants, reducing production costs and achieving universal energy access.

Africa REN develops, finances and operates sustainable infrastructure projects aimed at expanding access to electricity across sub-Saharan Africa.

The €40-million storage facility in Senegal was funded through a combination of shareholder investment and debt financing from the Dutch development bank and the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund.