Solar financing in Côte d’Ivoire, a Lithuanian hybrid purchase, and a UK battery milestone
FMO agreed to lend up to €55.5 million for the 50 MWp Kong solar project in northern Côte d’Ivoire, which is expected to produce about 96 GWh annually and start commercial operation in 2028. Energix bought a ready-to-build Lithuanian hybrid project from Evecon for €25.4 million, covering 220 MW of wind, 60 MWp of solar, and 286 MWh of storage. Ørsted finished building its 300 MW/600 MWh Iceni battery facility in Norfolk, UK, using 170 Tesla Megapack units near the Hornsea 3 offshore wind converter station.
FMO’s agreed €55.5 million loan for Kong Solaire carries a 20-year term and supports a plant tied to a 25-year CI-ENERGIES supply contract. Africa Via holds 51% and InfraCo 49%, with AXIAN participating indirectly; the site is meant to reach about 240,000 people after its 2028 start.
Energix’s Lithuanian purchase from Evecon covers 220 MW wind, 60 MWp solar and 286 MWh storage near Marijampolė. It paid €7.7 million at closing, with later payments tied to design and approvals; total build cost is put near €400 million, and turbines are due from July 2027. Ørsted’s Norfolk Iceni site uses 170 Tesla Megapacks, shares Hornsea 3’s connection, and is entering commissioning for 2027 operation.
The Ivorian solar loan could improve electricity availability for nearby households and businesses and support grid planning, though benefits depend on construction and operation. Lithuania’s hybrid project may affect local land use, grid capacity and construction employment, while the UK battery could help manage supply and demand around offshore wind, potentially supporting reliability for consumers. Across all three, community impacts may vary with siting, consultation and how storage and generation are operated.