CASTRIES – Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) has released a request for proposals (RFP) for competitive firms to submit bids to develop an on-island three megawatt solar photo-voltaic (PV) project.
The three megawatt solar plant will be located north of the Hewanorra International Airport at La Tourney, Vieux Fort, and represents the first utility-scale solar PV project in Saint Lucia. The project is being funded by LUCELEC.
Once online, the peak solar capacity is anticipated to provide over five per cent of the power generation needs of the island, and will be managed by LUCELEC to ensure continued grid stability.
Earlier this month, LUCELEC and the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology announced their commitment to renewable energy at the National Energy Transition Strategy (NETS) signing ceremony. The RFP demonstrates quick progress and dedication by both parties toward achieving Saint Lucia’s energy goals.
“It is our expectation to commission at least one megawatt of solar energy by the end of this year,” said LUCELEC Managing Director Trevor Louisy.
“Together with the work that we have started on the proposed wind farm in Dennery, we are making steady progress towards adding renewable energy to our electricity generation mix.
“The solar installation with LUCELEC will bring renewable energy investment from around the globe to Saint Lucia and set an example of how to scale renewable energy solutions in the Caribbean,” said Justin Locke, Director for the Rocky Mountain Institute and Carbon War Room (RMI-CWR).
The RFP solicits bids from engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms to design and build the solar park that will be owned and operated by LUCELEC.
LUCELEC will provide the necessary sites and utility infrastructure for the project. The RFP details the technical requirements.
The RFP was developed with the assistance of Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), RMI-CWR, Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer Lloyd (DNV-GL) and the Government of Saint Lucia.
CCI and RMI-CWR are neutral, objective, non-profit organisations with no special interests or preferred vendors. The team works with Caribbean partners to create an open, fair and competitive marketplace for renewable energy.
The RFP and all associated documents may be downloaded at https://www.lucelec.com/content/lucelec-3-mw-solar-pv-rfp (PR)
St Lucia is deepening its thrust into the renewable energy market. (FP)
