Vieux Fort Solar Farm
| Vieux Fort Solar Farm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Saint Lucia |
| Location | La Tourney, Vieux Fort |
| Coordinates | 13°44′15″N 60°57′40″W / 13.73753°N 60.96103°W |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | November 2017 |
| Commission date | April 2018 |
| Construction cost | US$20 million |
| Owner(s) | St. Lucia Electricity Services |
| Operator(s) | St. Lucia Electricity Services |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 3 MW |
| Annual net output |
|
The Vieux Fort Solar Farm is a photovoltaic power station in La Tourney, Vieux Fort District, Saint Lucia.
History[edit]
In February 2016, St. Lucia Electricity Services (LUCELEC) released a request for proposal to companies to submit bids to construct the power station.[1] The tender was won by GRUPOTEC. On 20 June 2017, LUCELEC and GRUPOTEC signed the contract to begin the engineering, procurement and construction of the power station.[2]
The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the power station happened on 29 September 2017 and the construction began in November 2017.[3] It was then commissioned in April 2018, making it the first utility-level renewable energy project completed in the country.[4] The power station was then officially opened on 9 August 2018 in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, former Costa Rica President José María Figueres and former United States President Bill Clinton.[5][6]
Technical specification[edit]
The power station has an installed generating capacity of 3 MW. Upon commissioning, the power station covered around 5% of electricity demand in the country.[5] The power station consists of almost 15,000 photovoltaic panels.[7]
Finance[edit]
The power station was constructed at a cost of US$20 million with funds from St. Lucia Electricity Services.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ "Saint Lucia Issues Request for Proposals for 3 MW Airport Solar Park". RMI. 22 February 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ "LUCELEC Signs Contract to Construct First Solar Farm in Saint Lucia". RMI. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ "Rocky Mountain Institute-Carbon War Room and Clinton Climate Initiative Facilitate Groundbreaking for Solar Farm in Saint Lucia". RMI. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ Cjoseph (7 August 2018). "LUCELEC To Officially Open Its Solar Farm". LUCELEC. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Island's First Solar Farm Launches Today". The Voice. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ Niland, Dana (14 August 2018). "Saint Lucia Has a New Solar Farm". Caribbean Journal. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ "Saint Lucia Solar Park Opens". RMI. Retrieved 17 May 2023.