Mauritius’ bid for boosting sources of green energy continues at a strong pitch with ABB, a global leader in the power and automation industry, providing the relevant infrastructure to support solar energy projects in the island economy.
ABB recently delivered 17 central inverters for a 15.2 MWp ground-mounted photo voltaic (PV) power plant at La Ferme in Bambous.
According to ABB, the PV plant was successfully connected to the grid in mid-February with the aim of producing approximately 24 gigawatt-hours of clean energy and saving 15,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions approximately each year.
The PV plant project was developed by German group Tauber-Solar while the installation of the inverters in locally built housings is provided by Conecon, which is ABB’s partner.
Additionally, to monitor and control the plant, ABB supplied and commissioned on a turnkey basis the medium-voltage gas-insulated switchgear and power and distribution transformers, as well as a variety of high-voltage substation equipment such as the new plug and switch system, PASS.
Ajay Vij, country manager at ABB Mauritius, said that the key success factors for ABB central inverters are the high efficiency and the easy-to-maintain industrial design of their inverters and the company’s local technical support.
The ABB Mauritius manager noted the island’s ambition to reduce dependence on imported energy by increasing use of renewable energy sources. For instance, while wind power is currently being introduced, clear targets for solar energy have already been set by the government.
Large-scale PV plants and small-scale PV installations in commercial and residential buildings are targeted. Hence, wind power and the share of renewable energy fed into the national grid can be potentially significant.
According to Vij, energy storage systems such as pumped-storage hydroelectricity systems and other advanced technology can be taken into consideration in order to increase the share of renewables even beyond these targets.
The latter stated the fact that the island is a kind of mini-grid might be an opportunity for grid stabilization equipment of which ABB has a wide range.
“There is good potential in Mauritius for solar power, and I expect more projects to come,” Vij added.
Company Profile
ABB
ABB, a global leader in power & automation, has established a presence in the emerging countries of SAARC & Indian Ocean islands, and is especially strong in India and the Middle East & African region. ABB began operations in Mauritius in 1998 and has been an active partner in boosting power and industry infrastructure on the island.
It aims to provide high technology solutions to its customers for green-field and up-gradation projects at optimal cost and minimal environmental impact through efficient energy usage.
ABB’s customers are supported with a dedicated global service network providing a complete range of life cycle services in more than 60 countries.
Source: Company Website
Image (Penn Energy): The company noted the island’s ambition to reduce dependence on imported energy by increasing use of renewable energy sources.
More business news on AfricaMoney
Facebook Comments