Market RadarBESS & Batterijparken
Aruba to Implement Largest Caribbean BESS with Wärtsilä
WEB Aruba and Wärtsilä have signed an agreement for the installation of a 35 MW / 70 MWh battery energy storage system in Aruba. This project, the largest of its kind in the Caribbean, will enhance grid stability and optimize the integration of renewable energy sources. Handover is anticipated in the second quarter of 2028.
WEB Aruba, the utility company on the island of Aruba, and Wärtsilä, a Finnish marine and technology company, have entered into an agreement for a significant battery energy storage system (BESS). This project involves the installation of a 35 MW / 70 MWh BESS, establishing it as the largest energy storage facility in the Caribbean region. The collaboration aims to integrate and optimize the island's power generation assets.
The comprehensive agreement includes engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for the BESS. Furthermore, a services agreement has been established, covering a Wärtsilä energy management system (EMS) and long-term maintenance for the energy storage solution. Wärtsilä officially booked this order in the third quarter of 2026, with the final handover of the system projected for the second quarter of 2028.
The new BESS will be seamlessly integrated with WEB Aruba’s existing power generation infrastructure, which includes solar power, wind energy, and engine power plants. This integration will be facilitated by Wärtsilä’s EMS platform. The system's advanced forecasting and grid control capabilities are expected to significantly enhance grid reliability and optimize the dispatch of various energy assets. Risto Paldanius, Vice President, Americas at Wärtsilä Energy, stated that their solution "will support WEB Aruba to improve the quality and reliability of providing power to the island." He further emphasized that the combination of energy storage, the energy management system, and associated services will boost overall efficiency and provide substantial support for WEB Aruba's transition towards a greater adoption of renewable energy sources. The EMS will be delivered under Wärtsilä’s "As-a-Service" commercial model, which incorporates continuous software and configuration updates, alongside access to dedicated technical support.
This latest agreement marks a continuation of the established relationship between WEB Aruba and Wärtsilä. Previously, Wärtsilä supplied engines and equipment for WEB Aruba’s power plant projects, contributing to a combined installed generation capacity of 230 MW. Wärtsilä recently launched Valo, a joint venture with German engineering company RCT Solutions, which now encompasses Wärtsilä’s global energy storage business and manages over 20 GWh of battery storage projects worldwide.
This article is based on information from ESS News.
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