Largest Solar Farm in Vanuatu to be deployed in Efate
July 10, 2024 12:07 am | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
Union Electrique Du Vanuatu Limited (UNELCO) is set to contract the construction of a groundbreaking 3 MWp solar Photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected plant with an estimated Vatu (VT) 300 million worth of investment financed through the Port Vila Concession tariff for the period of 2020-2025.
This ambitious project will be situated on the Kawene plateau in Efate, adjacent to the existing wind farm and solar facility, making it the largest solar farm in the country.
The commissioning of this latest generation solar farm is scheduled for mid-2025. Once operational, it will generate over 4,200,000 kWh of renewable electricity annually for Efate’s residents. This significant boost will increase the island’s overall renewable energy capacity by an impressive 38%.
By eliminating the need for over 1 million litres of imported fossil fuel each year, the project will have a dual impact: reducing carbon emissions by 2,500 tons annually and enhancing electricity affordability for local consumers. Consumers should expect an approximately 2% reduction in the Port Vila tariff as a result of the project.
The initiative stems from the long-term public-private partnership between the Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation (MoCCA), represented by Minister Ralph Regenvanu, and UNELCO, its concessionaire, which is financing the project. The project underscores the Vanuatu government’s commitment to decarbonising the electricity supply and aligning with international climate change goals.
Notably, this solar farm represents the final direct-to-grid PV installation that can operate without an accompanying battery. Future projects will necessitate energy storage solutions. The upcoming Renewable Energy Solar and Storage on Efate and Tanna (RESSET) project, following this milestone, will provide an additional 5 MWp of PV generation, complete with a substantial stabilising and energy storage battery of 6.75MWh.
