Solar PV project to be integrated with existing 6MW Port Victoria Wind Farm and PUC’s existing power station
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, will help the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) in building a five-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant with battery storage in the Republic of Seychelles The project is being financed by a AED31 million loan from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the leading national entity for development aid, as well as funds from PUC’s own equity.
The project’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract scope includes subsea cabling, switchgear extensions, and an underground water piping system for module cleaning.
The 5MW Ile de Romainville Solar Park will be located on the same site as the existing ADFD-financed AED103 million Port Victoria Wind Farm. Built by Masdar, this 6MW renewable energy wind farm has been generating power for the Seychelles’ capital since 2013.
The new project will also include an energy storage system (ESS) with a capacity of 5MW and 3.3 megawatt-hours (MWh), allowing for the safe and stable supply of electricity to the main island of Mahé, while also ensuring the grid stability and safe operation of PUC’s conventional fuel-fired power station.
Due for completion in Q2 2019, the 5MW Ile de Romainville Solar Park is part of ADFD and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Project Facility. ADFD has committed US$350 million in concessionary loans over seven funding cycles to support the establishment of renewable energy projects in developing countries.
“Seychelles has placed climate change at the centre of its sustainable development strategy,” said His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD. “Contributing to the financing of this solar park with integrated battery storage will bolster ADFD’s efforts in supporting the island country’s priorities, especially with regard to mitigating carbon emissions through the deployment of renewable energy. Cutting-edge projects like the Ile de Romainville Solar Park demonstrate the benefits of renewable energy ventures in long-term socio-economic development.”
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “Masdar is honoured to have been selected to partner with ADFD and PUC in the development of Seychelles’ latest renewable energy project, and to build on our successful involvement in the Port Victoria wind project. This collaboration will be an opportunity to harness the latest efficiency enhancements in solar power technology, including the optimisation benefits of battery storage.”
Seychelles currently relies on fossil fuels to meet its electricity demand, with fossil fuels accounting for around 20 per cent of the country’s imports. In response, it has set a target of 5 per cent renewables by 2020 and 15 per cent by 2030. It is estimated that the Ile de Romainville solar project will save approximately 2,000,000 litres of fuel annually.
Philippe Morin, CEO of PUC, said: “By combining solar energy with wind power, Seychelles will double its renewables capacity while freeing up resources for economic development. The battery storage component will also address the intermittency challenges of renewables, further consolidating Seychelles’ energy security.”
The new solar PV project will be installed on the same artificial island hosting five of the eight wind turbines of the Port Victoria Wind Farm. The PV array has been specifically designed to maximise the use of available land, while allowing for the maintenance of the wind turbines and minimising any shading losses resulting from them.
Operational since 2013, the eight wind turbines of the Port Victoria Wind Farm supply approximately 2,100 households on Mahé, Seychelles’ largest island, home to its capital city Victoria.
-Ends-
About Masdar
Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company which works to advance the development, commercialisation and deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today’s fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future. Wholly owned by the Mubadala Investment Company, the strategic investment company of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the United Arab Emirates’ long-term vision for the future of energy and water.
Contacts:
E-mail: press@masdar.ae
Tel enquiries in Arabic: +971 2 653 3333
Tel enquiries in English: +971 2 653 6014
For more information please visit: http://www.masdar.ae and connect: www.facebook.com/masdar.ae and www.twitter.com/masdar
About Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development is a national organisation owned by the Abu Dhabi government. Established in 1971, its purpose is to help emerging countries by providing concessionary loans to finance sustainable development projects alongside other long-term investments and direct contributions. In addition, the Fund manages government grants offered by the Abu Dhabi government and monitors the course of the relevant projects. To date, it has invested around AED83 billion in development projects across 88 countries.
AbuDhabiFund
AbuDhabi_Fund
AbuDhabiFund
For more information, please contact:
Hanan Alhamed
Chief Media Coordinator
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development
Tel: 02 6939 559
Fax: 02 6677 070
Email: Halhamed@adfd.ae
About Public Utilities Corporation (PUC)
The Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) is a parastatal body wholly owned by the Government of Seychelles. Established in 1986, PUC’s principal activities are the supply of electricity and potable water, and the collection and disposal of waste water. It is committed to meeting customer needs and expectations by planning for and maintaining an effective and responsive electricity, water and sanitation infrastructure. It plays a major role in enabling the Government of Seychelles to attain its renewable energy targets.
Contacts:
E-mail: bpayet@puc.sc
Tel enquiries: +248 4678296
For more information please visit: http://www.puc.sc
About IRENA
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organization mandated by 151 national governments and the European Union to promote the widespread and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy, geothermal energy, hydropower, ocean, solar, and wind energy. Supporting countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, IRENA serves as a platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of renewable energy policy, technology, resource, and financial knowledge.
© Press Release 2018Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
