The construction of three hybrid solar power plants for 25 villages in Suriname is underway. In December, work began on a solar system in Daume to provide electricity to 16 villages, another in Cajana for seven villages and a third in Galibi for two villages.
The three locations are located in the Sipaliwini district in Central Suriname and the Marowijne district on the northeastern coast.
The structures are part of the Suriname Villages Micro-grid Solar Project Phase II, which PowerChina is implementing.
Each plant combines solar panels with battery storage and a diesel generator as backup. The plants will supply 360 kWh per cluster, enough to power all households in every village.
PowerChina started the first phase of the project in 2019, which involves the design, procurement and construction of 650 kW of solar energy and 2.6 MWh of energy storage. The company completed the first site of the second phase in April. According to the Surinamese government, PowerChina is responsible for supplying solar energy to 20% of the villages in the country.
While Suriname’s national electricity access rate exceeds 98%, it falls below 90% in rural areas. Minister David Abiamofo of the Ministry of Natural Resources said the country should have universal access to power by 2030.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Suriname had deployed 12 MW of solar capacity by the end of 2023.
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