A new 500 kilowatt (kW) hybrid solar farm designed and constructed by Australian based Ingenero Pty Ltd has one of the highest penetrations of solar to diesel power anywhere in the world.
Ingeneros General Manager of Generation, Rodger Whitby said, Ingenero is proud to have been involved in the design and installation of such an important asset for the Islands future. The plant will produce over 870 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity per year and offset an estimated 225,000 Litres of diesel.
"The beauty of the hybrid project is that the solar and diesel combined plant provides uninterrupted power for remote 24/7 operations such as island communities and mining sites. Put simply it is a cost saving alternative that significantly reduces emissions," said Mr Whitby.
The region is challenged by volatile fossil fuel prices, costly supply routes, and relatively small energy markets. Solar hybrid farms have the potential to shield Pacific and South East Asian nations from rising costs of imported fuels, moving towards a more sustainable and secure energy future.
Traditionally Vavau relied on diesel generators for its electricity needs. It now has a world class hybrid solar farm that is reducing fuel costs and carbon emissions and providing reliable electricity for its community.
Officially handed over to His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupoutoa Ulukalala in late 2013, the system is currently recording that up to 70% of the islands electricity needs are being provided by solar in the middle of the day. This is one of the worlds largest penetrations of solar to diesel.
A successful collaboration between international and local stakeholders, the project was funded by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and designed and built by Ingenero Pty Ltd, one of Australias leading solar power companies with experience in residential, large-scale commercial and off-grid solar projects. The funding was implemented by Abu Dhabi based clean energy company Masdar.
The project is owned by the Tonga Energy Road Map 2010-20 (TERM), a 10 year plan that aims to increase the communitys access to modern energy services in an environmentally sustainable manner, and managed by Tonga Power Limited.
"Solar power from the project will provide around 13% of the electricity needs for the island each year that represents a significant saving in terms of both diesel fuel and GHG emissions," explained Mr Whitby.
I expect the progress of the site will be eagerly watched by other Pacific nations who are looking for ways to provide low cost clean energy for their communities, added Mr Whitby.
Ingeneros priority was to form close working relationships with the local community, providing skills training and employment, plus sourcing local goods and services wherever possible. We estimate that Ingenero has spent over 500,000 Tongan Paanga locally over the life of the project.
Its important that the local community benefits as much as possible from the project, so Ingenero focussed on training staff from a local Vavau subcontractor and the station operators from Tonga Power Limited. We were very pleased with their level of engagement and eagerness to learn, and we are confident that we can now leave the operation and maintenance in capable local hands, Mr Whitby concluded.
