Twelve remote villages in the Suriname forest now enjoy continuous power thanks to a new microgrid initiative. The Suriname Village PV Microgrid Project will consist of five microgrids with a total generation capacity of 5,314 MWh, serving 34 villages once completed.
POWERCHINA Advances Green Energy with PV Microgrid Project
In 2019, POWERCHINA initiated the first phase of the Suriname village PV microgrid project. This endeavour involves designing, procuring and constructing a system featuring 650 kilowatts of photovoltaic power and 2.6 MWh of energy storage. The project leverages China's green and low-carbon technologies to address the off-grid power needs of remote communities.
Solar panels bring continuous power to remote villages in the Suriname forest, transforming energy access and sustainability.
The microgrid established is a compact power generation and distribution network comprising distributed energy sources, energy storage, conversion devices and monitoring systems. This internal grid can operate independently, purchasing power from the main grid when needed and selling excess power back when available.
This approach makes microgrid construction cost-effective and adaptable, enabling local renewable energy consumption. As green energy usage expands, microgrids are expected to play a crucial role in enhancing living standards and advancing modernization in local communities.
First Microgrid Handover in Suriname Photovoltaic Project
The microgrid is the first to be completed as part of the second phase of the Suriname Village Microgrid Photovoltaic Project.
Suriname is a small and ethnically diverse country located on the Atlantic coast of South America, just north of Brazil. It is one of the world's leading producers of bauxite, the primary source of aluminium.
While much of the country’s population enjoys reliable electricity, thousands living in Suriname's remote forest region far from the country's electrical infrastructure have access to power for only a few hours each day. The Suriname Village PV Microgrid Project seeks to address this issue by delivering continuous 24-hour power to these villages.
Phase Two: Microgrid Powers 34 Villages with 5,314 MWh Capacity
In the second phase of the project, POWERCHINA will construct five more microgrids delivering continuous power to 34 forest villages along the Suriname River.
President Santokhi delivered a speech expressing his high appreciation for POWERCHINA's efforts and achievements in overcoming challenges during the project construction. He remarked that the successful handover of the first site of the project will provide a more stable and reliable power supply to the affected villages, significantly enhancing the villagers' quality of life and promoting local economic development.
“The microgrids will provide a more stable and reliable power supply to the villages, significantly enhancing the quality of life for residents and fostering local economic development,” said Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of the Republic of Suriname.
The first site in phase two has recently been completed and supplies power to 12 villages with over 1,500 residents. The PV microgrid described as a 'small power generation and distribution system' features a hybrid energy setup with solar, energy storage and diesel generation. Once completed, the five microgrids are anticipated to have a total generation capacity of 5,314 MWh.
POWERCHINA: Leading Global Solar Power Developer
Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA) is a leading construction group specializing in investment, financing, planning and design, engineering construction, equipment manufacturing and operation management. Ranked 105th on the Fortune 500 in 2023, POWERCHINA is a key player in China's solar power industry.
Its expertise in industrial management, development planning, survey and design, EPC contracting, project investment and operation and maintenance has driven the growth of solar energy in China. To date, POWERCHINA has implemented solar projects in approximately 30 countries with a total installed capacity of around 9 GW.
