3 Solar Projects In Caribbean Enter Construction

• A total of 3 renewable energy projects, supported by UAE-CREF program, in the Caribbean have entered construction
• Projects comprise 900 kW PV plant in Bahamas, 350 kW solar PV carport+500 kW ground mounted PV plant in Barbados and 600 kW PV plant with 500 kWh lithium-ion battery system in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
• All of this 2.35 MW capacity is scheduled to come online by Q1/2019, representing an annual diesel fuel saving of at least $1.1 million

The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) broke ground on 3 renewable energy projects in the Caribbean financed by the United Arab Emirates-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund (UAE-CREF) on November 6, 2018. Masdar is the project manager and implementing lead for the 3 projects.

• The projects comprise a 900 kW solar PV plant at the Bahamas national stadium that will also serve as a carport with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations as the country's 'first large-scale solar energy project' which will also be connected to the grid.
• Another 350 kW solar PV carport with EV charging station and a 500 kW ground mounted PV plant is being developed in Barbados, in partnership with the Barbados Water Authority.
• The third project is coming up in the Union Island of Saint Vincent & the Grenadines as a 600 kW PV plant connected to a 500 kWh lithium-ion battery, and will supply clean energy to its outer islands for their daytime power needs. Masdar explained Union Island's energy costs are almost 50% higher than those of the main island of Saint Vincent.

Masdar says total output of the solar power plants will be 2.35 MW, representing an annual diesel fuel saving of at least $1.1 million once these are commissioned by Q1/2019. It has factored in the impact of hurricanes and says these projects are being built to elevate storm standards and located in less exposed areas.

A partnership between the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC), ADFD and Masdar, the $50 million UAE-CREF is fully financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and is the largest renewable energy initiative of its kind in the Caribbean. This partnership aims to deploy clean energy projects in 16 countries over the next 3 years.

"The projects being delivered through the Fund will be engineered to meet the specific needs of each host country, and make an important contribution to the emergence of a commercially viable renewables sector in the Caribbean and the Latin America region," said Masdar CEO, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi.