A planned 50-megawatt solar project in Linden will not replace the town’s existing diesel generation, according to Chief Executive Officer of the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc Horace Williams.
Williams clarified that the renewable-energy investment is intended to work alongside conventional generation and battery storage, during remarks at the Linden Mayor and Town Council’s recent town hall meeting.
He explained that the 50MW solar farm, which is being constructed by the Government, is intended to increase generation capacity and reduce reliance on expensive fossil fuel.
Williams said fuel accounts for more than 60 per cent of the operating cost of a utility in some locations, making the transition toward hybrid systems economically important.
“What we’re doing is we’re hybridising these systems by adding solar farms,” he said.
He stressed that residents should not interpret the planned solar capacity as meaning 50MW of electricity will be continuously available, particularly because solar generation depends on sunlight.
During the discussion, a resident raised concerns about public understanding of the project’s capacity and whether solar generation would be available around the clock.
Williams responded that the assumption was a misconception, explaining that solar would be added to, rather than replace, existing generation.
“So, in other words, this is an addition to the diesel systems. So the diesel systems will still be there along with the storage, the battery storage to meet your peak,” Williams said.
He also indicated that battery storage will help extend the usefulness of solar-generated electricity beyond periods of peak sunlight.
The first portion of the solar project is expected to be commissioned later this year, with officials revealing that approximately four megawatts could come on stream by year-end.
