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The solar portfolio will be spread across 50 sites throughout the island-state, which will add to Barbados 30 MW solar portfolio and bring the country closer to being powered by 100% renewable energy by 2030.
Jurchen Technology, a Germany-based manufacturer of direct current (DC) rack-and-wire solar power plants, in partnership with Blue Circle Energy, a Barbados-based renewable energy developer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the construction of a 60 MW portfolio of solar generation projects across the 11 parishes of Barbados.
The project consists of floor-mounted panels using Jurchen Technologys PEG EW (PEG) racking solution. The solar plant manufacturer claims that its PEG system built at an 8-degree tilt produces 225% more ground performance than trackers and fixed-tilt systems. This is due to the minimal space between modules derived from its angular design. In addition, the frames will be located at waist height, using an aerodynamic plane that, according to the company, is designed to resist the extreme wind of hurricanes.
The portfolio will include battery energy storage systems (BESS) connected to Barbados primary grid or spread across the 50 project sites, which will function as community solar farms. The BESS rates for the portfolio are still being discussed, and a decision needs to be made before construction of the project begins. “We hope to have a commercially viable rate in early 2024,” stated Cameron Steinman, president of Blue Circle Energy.
Barbados aspires to be the first 100% renewable and carbon neutral island state by 2030, as stated in its National Energy Policy document. The report includes ten visionary objectives focused on creating a diverse, affordable and reliable portfolio of renewable energy options that promote the economic emancipation of Barbadians in a variety of ways. Increasing the countrys energy independence is another approach to realizing this mission.
Not having to buy international oil using foreign exchange reserves (mostly dollars) to fuel plants creates room to allocate those funds to other significant infrastructure initiatives, Steinman said. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, 95% of Barbados energy supply was imported in 2020. Oil provided the most significant energy supply, at 92%, followed by renewables, at 5%, and gas, with 3%. Bioenergy and solar energy were the largest generators of renewable energy, with 62% and 38%, respectively.
“Employing Jurchen Technologys PEG EW racking solution to build a portfolio of 60 MW solar plants across Barbados represents a significant leap towards our renewable energy goals,” said Lisa Cummins, Minister of Energy of Barbados.
Barbados Light & Power Co. Ltd. says its solar photovoltaic plant in St. Lucy, Barbados, adds 10 MW per day to the national grid. This is in addition to 25 MW of distributed solar generation on customer-owned rooftops. According to Sinalda, a global manufacturer of alternating current voltage systems, this figure will increase to 30 MW of photovoltaic capacity in 2021.
Although Barbados has less risk of hurricanes than other places in the Caribbean, climate change may alter this situation. The World Bank predicts new patterns of precipitation and more frequent and intense tropical cyclones in the region as global temperatures rise. According to Steinman, the spatial layout of the solar-plus-storage plant can help increase the grids resilience to unpredictable weather patterns. Residents will still have access to electricity in the event a storm damages a site.
The portfolio of community solar farms will also allow around 300 sheep to graze on 30 sites. The agrivoltaic nature of the proposed solar plant adheres to an unwritten Barbados policy requiring dual use of clean energy generation sites.
Steinman estimates that the portfolio will hire between 20 and 50 people during its three years of construction. Afterwards, the maintenance of the BESS will generate between 3 and 10 jobs on the island, some dedicated to the management of security assets.
Blue Circle Energy is funding the development phase of the project, which includes permitting, licensing, initial design and scope costs. Steinman said the company also pays landowners option payments to keep them reserved while it weathers project delays. The international hotel company Sol Ecolution will assume the costs associated with paying for the equipment, hiring contractors and final ownership of the portfolio for 20 years. |
