Introduction
PACE Technical – the engineering firm within the Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) Group – has been appointed as lead engineering design firm for Brine Engineering Solutions for their solar and energy storage project on Santo Antao island (Cabo Verde), off the west coast of Africa.
The contract will be led by PACE Technical Director Aitor Larrucea and the main services will be executive design, detailed design and energy yield calculations and pre-construction support.
PACE has supported the project through the two years of the concept development that brings together the design, construction and operation of a large-scale solar PV plant with 6.8 MWp in Santo Antao Island, integrated with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 2MW/11MWH.
The renewable energy generated will be consumed by an agro-industrial cooperative for agricultural production and a desalination plant for clean water production. The project is expected to connect in late 2022.
Aitor Larrucea, Technical Director said: “we are delighted to participate in this landmark project for Cabo Verde which integrates solar generation, storage and power control allowing for 24-hour, year-round clean energy supply.”
Rob Denman, Managing Director of PACE said, ‘PACE Group and PACE Technical are delighted to be able to support Brine on this exciting project. Through the course of the last 24 months we have worked with the team at Brine to bring this project through.”
Yannick Teixeira, CEO of Brine Engineering Solutions, said ‘this project has been developed over many years and we are very excited that, with PACE’s support, this project is on the verge of becoming reality. What started out as a project to develop a renewable energy initiative in Cabo Verde, has grown to support and tackle environmental, social, and economic issues. By the incorporation of a desalination plant and irrigation system, powered by renewable energy, the project can support the farming community, building an industry from subsistence levels to provide jobs and security for over 200 families. Thus protecting a way of life that there is little desire amongst the local community to leave behind”.
PACE have been instrumental in their support for the initiative and Brine is delighted this relationship will continue through to the implementation of the project and beyond.’
About the project
The project involves the design, construction and operation of a 6.8MWp solar plant, integrated with an 11MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to power a seawater desalination plant built for the project. This water is then supplied, along with all other agricultural inputs to local Cabo Verdean farmers in three nearby areas who grow crops for Aquasun with our support and guidance. This supply is augmented by a new hydroponic facility growing water intensive, fast-growing crops such as lettuce and strawberries. Certain produce such as mango, papaya, potatoes and strawberries are processed at the agro-industrial centre into jams and frozen French-fries. The fresh and processed goods are then distributed to national distributors and the Cabo Verdean tourism market.
About PACE Technical – inhouse and third party technical support
PACE Technical – led by experienced renewable energies engineer Aitor Larrucea – provides in-house consultancy, technical and detailed engineering support to PACE’s international projects and also provides services to third-party developers, investors and EPCs.
PACE Technical has extensive experience in executive and detailed engineering design, contract analysis, technical advisory services, construction management services and operational procedure analysis.
PACE Technical can provide technical and advisory services including engineering, construction agreements, negotiation, construction and quality monitoring, commissioning analysis and O&M procedures.
About Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE)
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE)- established in 2017 – is an international clean energy developer and investor currently operating in the UK, Canada, Poland and Spain and with ongoing business development in other growth markets.
PACE has ongoing development operations in the UK, Canada, Spain, Poland and with entry into additional markets to be announced through 2021.
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About Brine Engineering Solutions
Brine is first and foremost a project development firm, specializing in the integration of different technologies and different sectors, to enhance the benefits that renewable energy can bring. To deliver on our vision of a truly sustainable world, we embed ESG values at the very core of all work we undertake, driving social empowerment and environmental sustainability, resulting in a more resilient, de-risked infrastructure projects.
Brine was established in the UK in 2014. Alongside the development of the Aquasun Cabo Verde projects, Brine has projects currently under-development in Southern Africa, West Africa Macaronesia and the Caribbean.
www.brine-ei.co.uk
For communications related to this announcement:
Paul Taylor, Taylor Keogh Communications – +44 (0)20 8392 8250 / paul@taylorkeogh.com or press@pathfinder.com
For PACE Technical enquiries:
Pathfinder Clean Energy – PACE Technical – Contact: Aitor Larrucea
Tel +44 (0)20 7127 4542
Images available on request