French renewable energy producer and developer Akuo Energy is supplying large-scale energy storage systems for the South Pacific region.
Largest BESS in the South Pacific
It commissioned a 29.2 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Tonga just weeks after powering a 19 MWh project in Martinique. The Tonga 1 and Tonga 2 projects, with a combined generation capacity of 16.5 MW and an energy storage capacity of 29.2 MWh, are the largest BESSs in the South Pacific.
Tonga 1 is a 9.3 MW/5.3 MWh system designed to improve grid stability, lasting just 34 minutes. Tonga 2 is a 3.3-hour system at 7.2 MW/23.9 MWh, primarily for load shifting.
They have doubled Tonga’s renewable energy capacity, recently adding 6 MW of solar PV, bringing the country’s renewable energy mix to around 20%. It aims to reach 70% by 2030.
“Super Power Bank” in the South Pacific, lithium battery energy storage matrix
Resilience of BESS
BESS also demonstrated its resilience in January’s tsunami, which devastated the coastline and cut the country off from the outside world. In the days following the natural disaster, BESS continued to operate and helped stabilize the power grid.
The two projects have a total investment of US$53 million, of which 56% comes from the United Nations Green Climate Fund, 23% from the Asian Development Bank, 10% from the Tongan Government, 6% from Tonga Electricity, and 5% from the Australian Government.
Eric Scott, Akuo Chairman and Co-Founder, said: “We are proud to bring this (BESS) lithium battery storage facility into service, demonstrating the critical role this technology plays in power network performance and whether it is necessary to complement the production of renewable energy. “
Akuo was founded in 2007 by the founders of Perfect Wind when they sold their entire wind energy portfolio to Spanish multinational power company Iberdrola. The company won a solar tender in French overseas territories last year and has invested 2.8 billion euros ($3 billion) in a total of 1.4 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity (operating or under development).
Australia is currently reaping the consequences of ignoring its South Pacific neighbors. Foreign aid has dwindled and Australia’s previous conservative government has shown a ruthless approach to sea level rise.
Peter Dutton, now the leader of the opposition Liberal Party, quipped in 2015: “Time doesn’t mean anything when your door is about to be slapped with water.” As a result, many island leaders have expressed concern over the Chinese government’s New interests are welcome.
Let’s hope Australia will follow France’s lead in helping our Pacific neighbors achieve climate-friendly energy solutions by installing massive battery storage facilities in the South Pacific. Hopefully next time we can do more than 5%.
