St. Kitts and Nevis’ new solar-plus-storage project will cover 25% of its energy demand

St. Kitts and Nevis will add a utility-scale solar and storage plant to meet one quarter of its electricity needs.

The 35.6MW solar park and 44.2MWh battery storage facility will be built and operated by Leclanché, a Swiss firm acting as EPC contractor.

This project is an example of the bold thinking and actions being undertaken by our electric utility to ensure a reliable power supply and a cleaner, more sustainable environment for our citizens and tourists”, said St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Sylvester Harris.

The state-owned utility St Kitts Electric Company has awarded Leclanché a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA).

This solar-plus-stoage project is expected to have a high fuel avoidance cost, and contribute significantly to the island’s energy demand and security, while providing clean energy in line with carbon emission reduction goals.

This project “sends a strong signal to other Caribbean countries, and those around the world, that there is a cleaner, more cost-efficient and viable alternative to diesel power”, said Leclanché CEO Anil Srivastava. It “marks the first time a megawatt-scale solar energy system, stabilised by a state-of-the art lithium battery energy storage system, can be utilised to provide true base load power for a utility on a Caribbean island.”

Construction for the project will end in November 2020.

Sources here and here