Caribbean solar power watch

The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has launched bidding for the dispatch component of the 1.5MW Bartica and 1MW Lethem solar plants.

The IDB-financed work entails the design, supply, and installation of transmission lines. Offers are due by May 4, according to procurement information.

Last year, GEA signed a contract with Farfan & Mendes and Soventix Caribbean to develop the parks and associated battery energy storage systems.

The government agency also has calls underway for smaller-scale solar systems to benefit off-grid and rural areas.

***

IDB has begun to review a US$3mn investment grant to increase reliable power access in Haiti.

The funds would support the installation of solar units for 8MW and 4MW with battery energy storage systems at the Caracol industrial park.

***

Puerto Rico’s renewable energy producers association APER has filed an appeal with the court of first instance for power utility PREPA (AEE in Spanish) to release documents related to the selection of X-Zerta Tec Solar and CIRO One Salinas to develop 150MW of solar capacity.

"The documents that we request from PREPA are public and do not contain information that is protected by any confidentiality measure,” local press quoted APER head Julián Herencia as saying.

The association has criticized the lack of transparency in the selection process which, according to APER, sidelined 14 other renewable energy projects for a combined 443MW.

In February, The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico approved PREPA’s selection.