Masdar opens 6MW wind farm in Seychelles

The Seychelles largest island Mahe is set to benefit from  eight wind turbines installed by Abu Dhabi clean energy experts Masdar.

The 6MW of energy generated is expected to account for 8% of Mahé Island’s energy capacity which is home to 90% of the country’s population.

Masdar claims this project – the first renewable energy project in the Seychelles – will displace 5,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, powering more than 2,100 homes and save 1.6 million litres of fuel per year.

“This project builds on Masdar’s commitment to demonstrating the economic and environmental advantages of renewable energy,” said Masdar chief Dr Al Jaber.

“With prices falling and new advancements in technology, renewable energy is reaching grid parity in many parts of the world. With energy demand expected to double by 2030 – putting a further strain on our natural resources – renewable energy is a viable solution to power future growth.”

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The Seychelles currently rely on expensive diesel generators to meet its electricity demand, with fuel accounting for 25% of the country’s total net imports.

Wind power generation presents a viable solution for the small island state to meet a national target of 15% energy from renewable sources by 2030.

Funded by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the Port Victoria Wind Farm, the eight wind turbines were constructed on two separate islands by Masdar and connected with 3km of subsea cables.

In addition, Masdar used advanced turbines that harness energy during low-to-medium wind speeds and which are resilient to corrosion from the salt and humidity of the ocean.

This is the latest sign that Masdar is seeking to invest in renewable energy outside the Middle East.

Recent projects include a 15MW solar photovoltaic power plant in Mauritania, which accounts for 10% of the country’s energy capacity, a project in Afghanistan that will supply 600 residences with off-grid solar PV systems, and a 500kW solar photovoltaic power plant on the island of Vava’u in the Kingdom of Tonga.

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