Solar-storage hybrid project to power Sierra Leone gold mine

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
A C&I solar plant from CrossBoundary in Kenya. Image: CrossBoundary Energy

Renewable energy financing platform CrossBoundary Energy will develop a hybrid solar PV, battery energy storage system (BESS) and thermal energy project at the Baomahun gold mine in Sierra Leone.

In a partnership with FG Gold, a Sierra Leonean gold mining company, the project will supply around 90% of the mine’s energy demand during daylight hours. CrossBoundary said in a press release that the site will be Sierra Leone’s first large-scale commercial gold mining project and could “become a model for sustainable mining operations”.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

CrossBoundary will finance the development and construction of the project, which will feature 23.8MW of solar PV, 13.8MWh/13MW BESS and a 21MW thermal plant. Construction is expected to begin in Q4 2024.

Matt Fredericks, global head of mining at CrossBoundary Energy, said: “Our innovative hybrid energy solution will not only provide cleaner and more cost-effective power but also set a new standard for sustainable mining practices in Africa.”

James Shoetan, CCO at CrossBoundary added: “The Baomahun Gold Mine project is a landmark in our portfolio and brings our mining portfolio to over US$150M across ten projects. It’s also a testament to our mission to help boost sustainable economic development across African countries such as Sierra Leone.”

In November 2022, CrossBoundary announced a partnership with the Bank of America to explore financing solutions for solar PV and wind developments across Africa. CrossBoundary said that the deal would support its then-pipeline of 225MW of solar and wind capacity and 50MWh of BESS.

There is precedent for decarbonising operations at gold mines. Last month, the Barrick Gold Corporation announced plans for two sites – one in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and another in Mongolia –  to be paired with solar PV installations. The Canadian miner is facilitating the development at the DRC mine, which will see a 16MW solar PV plant installed, alongside a BESS, in 2025.

25 November 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Large Scale Solar Central and Eastern Europe continues to be the place to leverage a network that has been made over more than 10 years, to build critical partnerships to develop solar projects throughout the region.

Read Next

August 8, 2025
This week several solar developers have raised funds for projects around the world, including BRUC in Europe, Greenalia in the US, Qair in Mauritius and CREC in Philippines.
August 8, 2025
German solar inverter manufacturer SMA Solar posted losses in the first half of 2025, as demand in the residential and corporate & industrial (C&I) solar sectors 'remains weak'.
August 8, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Array Technologies has posted revenue of US$362.2 million in the second quarter of this year.
August 8, 2025
German renewable energy developer ib vogt has officially broken ground on a 99MWp solar PV power plant in South Cotabato, the Philippines.
August 7, 2025
US-based floating solar (FPV) developer D3Energy is constructing a 6MW floating solar system in Monroeville – a village in Huron County, Ohio. 
August 7, 2025
Infinity Power has signed two concession agreements with the Government of Côte d'Ivoire for PV projects with a total capacity of 80MWac.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines