Lithium battery energy storage in west africa

Will Ghana become the first country in West Africa to produce lithium?

Ghana is set to become the first country in West Africa to produce lithium, a key component in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage systems. The Ewoyaa lithium project, developed by Atlantic Lithium, is expected to start production in 2025 and reach its full capacity of 365,000 tonnes of lithium annually in 2026.

Can Africa develop an integrated lithium supply chain for batteries?

In this report, we summarise the potential for developing an integrated lithium supply chain for batteries in Africa. Lithium is a moderately abundant element in the Earth’s crust, and is predominantly concentrated into three types of mineral deposit: pegmatites and granites; sedimentary deposits; and brines (Bowell et al., 2020).

Could lithium ion batteries solve Africa's infrastructural challenges?

They could provide energy while overcoming Africa’s infrastructural challenges. But this energy would still need to be stored. Lithium ion batteries might provide a solution. The Conversation Africa asked Bernard Jan Bladergroen about the challenges and opportunities. What is a lithium ion battery and what are its benefits?

Could Li-ion batteries be made in Africa?

The batteries are charged when power is available from, example, a wind turbine, solar panels or the grid, and then provide power when it’s not. If Li-ion batteries could be manufactured in Africa, on the appropriate scale, they would become cheaper and power users could rely more on renewable energy than they do now.

Is South Africa a good place to buy Li-on batteries?

There is huge opportunity. South Africa has almost 80% of the world’s known reserves of manganese – an important component of the most popular battery. Because the companies that produce Li-on batteries have deep pockets, and because the price of manganese is relatively low, they have been able to import it from South Africa.

What is the most advanced lithium project in Namibia?

The most advanced lithium project in Namibia is at Karibib. Lepidico hold an 80% interest in this project in central Namibia, which is well-served by existing infrastructure. The project has a JORC-compliant ore reserve, announced in 2020.