DNV has supported a solar and storage project in the Republic of Palau in the western Pacific.
Philippines-based power producer Solar Pacific Energy Corporation (SPEC), the solar developer of listed Alternergy Holdings Corporation, appointed DNV as owner’s engineer for the 15.3MW solar power and associated 13.2MWh battery on Babeldoab island in the archipelago.
The $29m project, jointly owned by SPEC and its listed parent Alternergy, will meet more than 20% of Palau’s energy needs.
SPEC was awarded a long-term power supply agreement by the Palau Public Utilities Corporation to feed power to the central grid in Badelboab.
DNV’s work scope for the solar-storage system spanned four phases across the design, pre-construction, construction, and project completion stages.
The company assessed if the design would meet two main purposes: grid smoothing and energy generation.
It advised on project scheduling and progress tracking, and checked the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract on SPEC’s behalf.
“Solar Pacific is grateful to DNV for its excellent technical and project management support throughout the pre-construction and implementation stages of this exciting project,” said SPEC chief executive officer Mike Lichtenfeld.
“DNV provided valuable expertise to ensure the delivery of a rather complex project that involved a PV and battery storage hybrid solution on a challenging project site located in a remote location.
“We look forward to expanding our working relationship with DNV throughout the Asia Pacific region.”
DNV project manager at energy systems Michael Niu added: “With a project in a location as unique as the Republic of Palau, the jurisdiction itself is challenging as the project engineering codes and local requirements are very specific.
“As such, it was critical that a multi-disciplinary engineering team well-versed in international codes, standards and best practices was assembled.”