Page 10 - CARILEC CE Journal CEMAY2021

The island’s power
supply was improved

considerably in 2017, after
RECO contracted Wärtsilä
to install four 7MW Wärtsilä
34SG-LPG engines that

run on propane

ROATAN’S ENERGY JOURNEY CONTINUES
The next stage in Roatan’s energy journey is about
to begin as RECO has shifted its focus to improving
the reliability of the island’s electricity supply using
today’s technology. It also heralds a clear path for
switching to renewables and improving grid stability
all at the same time.
“Our new goal is to pivot the electricity system
towards sustainable, renewable energy production,
incorporating the latest clean, smart and flexible
technologies while harnessing our spinning reserve
component to make a more efficient power gen
operation,” expressed Ramiro Tumbaco, General
Manager, Roatan Electric Company.

SOLAR SPEARHEADS RENEWABLE AMBITION
RECO has also started construction on a 7MW
photovoltaic solar plant on the south side of the
island and is planning another 5 MW solar plant on
the north side of the island. These solar-powered
plants, coupled with 4MW of existing wind power
capacity, set the island on the path to achieving
its goal of having 20% of its power supplied by
renewable resources by the end of 2021.
RECO again turned to Wärtsilä for the final
piece of the puzzle – a 10MW/26 MWh energy
storage solution including Wärtsilä’s GEMS energy
management system. These smart storage solutions
will be installed alongside the island’s south solar
park and are the key to bringing reliability to the
island’s electricity supply and further integrating
renewable resources.
The energy storage system is essentially a highly
sophisticated battery that will be charged by the solar

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