POWER FOR MINES
EREN says it is “the largest solar farm
connected to a thermal-based power plant.” The
fixed-tilt 15 MWp solar power plant is comprised
of close to 130,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels,
deployed over an area of nearly 22 ha.
“The solar power plant project engages our
Essakane mine in energy transition, sparks real
local sustainable development and is an honour
for Burkina Faso. It’s worth noting that this hybrid
diesel-solar power plant will be the first of its
kind in this country,” declared Bruno Lemelin,
CEO of IAMGOLD Essakane at the inauguration.
The IPP solution obviates the mining company
from deploying significant upfront capital and
adding the power asset to its balance sheet. It is
also a way of handing down the development,
financing, permitting, construction and operation
to an expert, therefore freeing some time to focus
on the core business. The power purchase
agreement signed between the independent
power producer and the off-taker sets an
electricity price which is applicable over the long-
term – renewable power serves as a solid hedge
against fuel price volatility.
Christophe Fleurence, Vice President Business
Development – Africa of EREN Renewable Energy:
“The project started with a site visit two years
ago where we assessed the best terrain for a
solar project, meaning relatively flat land and the
closest possible to the diesel power plant, and
analysed our client’s load curve and specific
needs. From there, we conducted fuel simulation
and grid stability studies to come up with an
optimal size of the PV plant while ensuring stable
and non-disruptive power supply.
“Renewable energy for mining companies can
be competitive and reliable today. The business
rationale is really simple: maximise the savings
for our customers. EREN RE thrives to lead the
energy transition of mining companies in Africa,
but also globally. The Essakane solar project truly
highlights our expertise in actually delivering
large scale sustainable and economical energy
solutions that are adapted to the needs of the
extractive industry.”
Wärtsilä signed its first Asset Management
Agreement for a PV power plant in April 2017 and
will assume full responsibility for the operation
and maintenance of the Essakane solar plant.
The solar plant shares a control system with a
thermal power plant. Operative co-ordination to
maximise the production of the two plants is key
in the new agreement.
The seven year agreement includes the daily
operation of the solar plant, preventive,
scheduled and corrective maintenance, cleaning
of the modules and coordination of operations
with those of a thermal power plant using the
same control system. The new Asset
Management Agreement seamlessly
complements the EPC agreement Wärtsilä signed
in March 2017 for the solar power plant.
Wärtsilä’s task is to optimise the production of
the PV plant and make sure that the thermal
plant delivers effective, efficient and stable
power with unsurpassed performance. In parallel,
the thermal plant, which operates on 11 Wärtsilä
32 engines, retains a sufficient number of
engines in stand-by mode to cover potential
fluctuations in the PV solar energy production.
Maximising the PV plant’s production means
that less heavy fuel oil is needed for the thermal
plant, reducing