The official opening of the Union Island Solar PV and battery energy storage facility took place on Monday March 25th, 2019
The project was funded through a grant to the government from the United Arab Emirates.
The Union Island Solar PV plant will generate electricity on the island during the day to supply to the grid.
It is projected that on sunny days, the solar plant will generate excess electricity than is required to supply the average day-time load on the island.
The excess electricity will be stored in batteries.
Monday’s ceremony heard remarks from representatives of the Energy Unit and VINLEC, including Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Thornley Myers.
There were addresses by Mr. H.E. Bader Abdallah Al Matroosh, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Representative of the UAE in the Association of Caribbean States.
The feature address was delivered by The Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Dr. Hon. R. E Gonsalves.
Sixteen members of staff who will be involved in the operations and maintenance of the facility took part in a two-day training session.
The practical aspect of the training will take place on site from Tuesday 26th- Friday 29th March. The sessions are being conducted by Akuo Energy Solutions, contractors on the project.
The expected annual energy output is 1,025 Megawatt-hours (MWh) or 1.025 Gigawatt-hours (GWh), approximately 32% of the electricity generated in Union Island in 2018.
This will result in approximately one-third of savings on diesel usage and cost, and also savings in other diesel generator operation and maintenance costs.
Monday’s ceremony took place at the Union Island Power Station compound.
