Caribbean island nation 44.2MWh battery solar energy storage system project
According to foreign media reports, a solar+storage project deployed in the Caribbean island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis began construction with the cooperation and support of Leclanché, Solid and MPC Energy Solutions.
The solar+storage project, known as SOLEC, started nearly 18 months later than expected, having been announced for construction in December 2020. Still, the project schedule was delayed due to a new crown outbreak, which will see the construction of a 35.6MW solar farm with a supporting 44.2MWh lithium-ion battery storage system deployed, and secured additional funding to advance the project in March 2021. additional funding to move the project forward in March 2021.
Since March 2021, Netherlands-based renewable energy developer MPC Energy Solutions has been a shareholder in the SOLEC project, along with the project's initial backers, Swiss vertically integrated lithium-ion battery manufacturer Leclanché and local developer Solid.
Leclanché, an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) service provider, will also provide its in-house energy management software for the long-term operation of the project.
The SOLEC Solar+Storage project will provide power to St. Kitts and Nevis utility St. Kitts Electricity Company (SKELEC), which has a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to meet approximately one-third of the island's energy needs.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the project on June 17, Martin Vogt, CEO of MPC Energy Solutions, said, "Today marks the beginning of a groundbreaking hybrid renewable energy project that combines a solar power facility with a battery storage system that will not only benefit St. Kitts and Nevis but also helps the Caribbean region. This is the region's first utility-scale power generation facility to combine the two technologies. Once operational, the project will demonstrate the benefits of a hybrid deployment project in terms of renewable energy generation and storage, grid integration and grid support, and a competitive cost base compared to conventional power sources."
