A photovoltaic system will be added to the generation mix in Union Island in keeping with a mandate by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC), to increase the penetration of renewable energy in the production of electricity.
The project, estimated at a cost of 3 million US dollars is being funded through a grant to the government from the United Arab Emirates. The contract was signed in 2018 and preparatory works were carried out during that year.
The system is expected to be functional by the end of March 2019. The Union Island Power Plant, which was commissioned in 1974, provides power to 1,242 customers.
Upon completion, the solar PV plant will generate electricity during the day to supply to the grid.
The next stage of the project, which is located to the North of the Union Island Power Station he Union Island will see the termination of cables. Once this is completed, the project will move into its final stage, which is the testing/commissioning stage.
