Wärtsilä, a global technology group, has entered into a five-year services agreement with Aqualectra, the energy utility company of the Caribbean island of Curaçao. The partnership aims to optimise power generation and reduce carbon emissions on the island. Wärtsilä will provide expertise, including energy storage systems and grid balancing engines, to support Aqualectra in achieving higher renewable energy penetration.

The agreement includes the installation of a 38.4MW grid balancing power plant and a 25MW/45MWh energy storage system. This will enhance Curaçao’s ability to balance the grid and integrate renewable energy sources. By optimising fuel consumption and increasing renewable generation, the partnership aims to make power more affordable and reliable for residents.

Aqualectra has already achieved a 30% renewable energy penetration in the last decade, and the partnership aims to push this target higher, ideally exceeding 50%. The focus will be on minimising spinning reserves, which are temporary adjustments to the grid to maintain stability, and optimising fuel efficiency. This could lead to significant cost savings and a reduction in carbon emissions.

Anders Lindberg, president of Wärtsilä Energy and EVP Wärtsilä, commented on the deal: “This partnership demonstrates how our grid balancing engines, energy storage, and optimisation software can work together to support wind and solar energy. It’s a blueprint for other island nations looking to build flexible energy grids that rely less on fossil fuels and more on renewables.”

The agreement is expected to be the first of many, with Wärtsilä collaborating with other micro-grids, including island nations and heavy industries like mining, to tackle decarbonisation head-on. This partnership highlights the potential for innovative solutions in energy management, offering a clear path to a cleaner future for Curaçao and similar regions worldwide.