Benin Awards Toyota Tsusho €48.6m Battery Storage Contract

Benin has awarded Japanese trading company Toyota Tsusho Corporation a €48.6 million contract to deploy battery energy storage systems (BESS) for three utility-scale solar power plants, marking another step in the country's efforts to strengthen grid reliability and expand renewable energy generation.

The project will deliver 50 megawatts (MW) and 160 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage capacity across three solar parks with a combined generation capacity of 75MW in the Pobè region.

Toyota Tsusho said the contract was awarded by the Beninese Electricity Production Company under the country's Ministry of Energy and Water.

The battery storage systems will allow excess electricity generated during peak sunshine hours to be stored and dispatched when solar production falls, helping to improve grid stability and ensure a more reliable electricity supply.

Project Builds on Benin's renewable energy expansion

The 75MW solar programme includes a 25MW solar power plant that Toyota Tsusho completed and commissioned in March 2026.

German engineering firm Eiffage RMT will partner with Toyota Tsusho to execute the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works for the battery storage facilities.

Construction is scheduled for completion by September 2027.

The investment signifies a growing trend across Africa, where battery energy storage is increasingly being paired with solar power projects to address the intermittent nature of renewable energy and reduce reliance on conventional generation. The battery storage facilities will enable Benin to maximise output from its solar plants, enhance grid stability, and support the country's drive to expand electricity access while strengthening long-term energy security.