Lebanon leads the energy storage finance industry

Which energy storage solutions will be the leading energy storage solution in MENA?

Electrochemical storage (batteries) will be the leading energy storage solution in MENA in the short to medium terms, led by sodium-sulfur (NaS) and lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries.

How can MENA countries take the lead in energy storage?

With adbundant land and low-cost solar and wind generation capacities, MENA countries have real competitive advantages that enable it to take the lead in energy storage and successfully navigate the energy transition.”

Why do energy storage projects need project financing?

The rapid growth in the energy storage market is similarly driving demand for project financing. The general principles of project finance that apply to the financing of solar and wind projects also apply to energy storage projects.

Do project finance lenders consider technology risks in energy storage projects?

Project finance lenders view all of these newer technologies as having increased risk due to a lack of historical data. As a result, a primary focus for lenders in their due diligence of an energy storage project will be on technology risks.

Which energy storage technology has the most installed capacity in MENA?

Pumped hydro storage (PHS) has the largest share of installed capacity in MENA at 55%, as compared to a global share of 90%. Pumped hydro storage is one of the oldest energy storage technologies, which explains its dominance in the global ESS market.

Are Li-ion batteries the future of solar energy in MENA?

In MENA, Li-Ion batteries have a significant share of the battery grid-scale applications coupled with solar energy systems. The operational capacities range from 0.1 MW in Morocco’s Demostene Green Energy Park to 23 MW in Al Badiya Solar-Plus-Storage at Al-Mafraq in Jordan.