The project encompasses the construction of a solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) minigrid to be built on the island of Buka, within the autonomous region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea. It will address the electricity needs of the region, which relies heavily on.
The core components include a 1 MW ground-mounted solar array coupled with a substantial 2 MW/2. 5 MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS). This combination is engineered to provide a stable power supply and significantly reduce the region's dependence on diesel.
By 2030, the national government aims to increase electricity access to 70% of households by 2030, which would require adding about 300 MW of capactiy to the national grid. about 60% of the population has access to off-grid solar options. PNG is ranked as the tenth most.
Recent industry analysis reveals that lithium-ion battery storage systems now average €300-400 per kilowatt-hour installed, with projections indicating a further 40% cost reduction by 2030.
The facility, known as Chilca-BESS, is made up of 84 cabinets of lithium-ion batteries. Now in commercial operation, it is the largest energy storage system of its kind in Peru, according to the Peruvian ministry of energy and mining.