During the international community‘s search for solutions to the climate crisis at the COP27 conference in Egypt in November, international project developer JUWI published a release noting that it had entered into the final stages of commissioning the world’s “largest” solar hybrid project at miner Centamin’s Sukari gold mine, 400 km south of the conference venue Sharm El-Sheikh.

The energy system consists of a 36 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) farm and a 7.5 MW battery-energy storage system that have been integrated into the existing diesel power station. The system demonstrates the key role of renewable energies in decarbonising the resource sector and already delivers savings ahead of expectations.

The solar system designed by JUWI maximised generation with bifacial solar PV modules and a single axis tracking system, taking advantage of the high irradiance on site. JUWI Hybrid IQ microgrid technology enabled the integration of the solar and battery system into the existing off-grid network and supports the operation of the existing power station.

The benefits of the hybrid power solution at Sukari includes several different elements, stated JUWI.

First, a reduction in exposure to volatile fuel pricing, with commissioning savings of up to 70000 ℓ/d of diesel and averaging a reduction in diesel consumption of 22-million litres a year.

Second is lowering carbon emissions by an estimated 60000 t/y of carbon dioxide (CO2), and a subsequent reduction in the volume of diesel trucked to the site.

The third benefit is a reduction in operating costs.

“The world’s eyes are now on Egypt and the outcome of the COP27 summit. We are delighted to have been able to deliver this flagship project to Centamin and, [further], to have been able to demonstrate the vital role that dependable solar, wind and battery solutions can already play in the transformation of the resource sector on the decarbonisation pathway,” enthuses JUWI COO and MD Stephan Hansen.

JUWI noted that it had already achieved remarkable success for mining clients globally with the world’s first utility-scale solar battery hybrid project at the DeGrussa copper mine in Australia.

This was followed by Agnew Gold, in Australia, in 2019, and another six hybrid projects in Australia and Africa for Tier-1 and midtier miners.

This includes projects for the Western Australian town Esperance, South African gold miner Pan African Resources, the Jacinth-Ambrosia mine and Gruyere mines in Australia, as well as the towns of Jabiru and Weipa. JUWI added that Sukari would provide a new benchmark of power systems for mines in Africa and internationally.

The JUWI Group notes that it has been one of the leading specialists for renewable-energy projects for more than 25 years and it offers complete project development as well as other services related to the planning, construction and operational management of renewable-energy plants. Its business areas primarily include projects with wind and solar energy as well as hybrid systems with storage for industrial applications.