Wärtsilä delivers the world’s largest hybrid solar power plant, reducing annual CO2 emissions by 18,500 tonnes
The technology group Wärtsilä announced today that it has delivered the world’s largest hybrid solar power plant. Wärtsilä will therefore provide reliable and sustainable energy round the clock, which is essential for conducting off-grid gold mining operations and demonstrating the enormous potential for integrating renewable energies into the market. as the primary source of electricity.
Wärtsilä has been selected by Total Eren SA, the world’s independent energy producer and renewable energy company, and the African Energy Management Platform (AEMP) for the construction of this 15 MWC solar photovoltaic power plant, which will produce and supply solar energy. energy at Iamgold Essakane SA in its gold mine in northeastern Burkina Faso.
By hybridizing an existing 57 MW diesel plant with the new photovoltaic solar plant and related controls at the hybrid plant, the plant’s performance has been significantly improved. The new configuration of the Solar Hybride plant maximizes the use of renewable energy at the Essakane mine. It is estimated that this will reduce fuel consumption by around 6 million liters per year while reducing the plant’s annual CO2 emissions by up to 18,500 tonnes. This project generated more than 200 jobs during the construction phase and is expected to create 75 permanent jobs during the operation phase.
“This project demonstrates the benefits of integrating renewable energy into the mining industry. Our ambition is to reproduce this type of hybridization, particularly in Africa, where mines can not always rely on the national network. Renewable energy associated with austockage or the production of thermal energy is a really viable option for industrial consumers since it allows a competitive, reliable and clean electricity supply, “explains Fabienne Demol, General Manager of Business Development at Total.
Eren.
Javier Cavada, President of Wärtsilä Energy Solutions, said: “This project highlights our
commitment to sustainability and innovation. Our new hybrid energy solutions will enable our customers to seamlessly integrate more renewable energy into their networks.
Our EPC delivery capabilities have allowed us to deliver this project successfully, even in such a remote and difficult place. ”
The inauguration of the new plant, located about 350 kilometers north-east of Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, took place on March 16, 2018 and brought together representatives of Iamgold and Wärtsilä, as well as the strong presence noted by Faso’s President, Mr. Roch Marc Christian Press Release, Wärtsilä, Hybrid Solar Power Plant, Burkina Faso 2 Kabore. A theme that was shared by all throughout the work was the recognition of the success of this project and the growing potential of similar hybrid solutions, particularly on the African continent.
Wärtsilä was also commissioned to operate and maintain the plant as part of an agreement
operation and maintenance. With this project, Wärtsilä has more than 7 GW of installed capacity in Africa.
