Econcern and Rabobank announce Bonaire on track to becoming powered by 100% sustainable electricity

Utrecht, 24.03.2009 - Econcern and Rabobank have reached financial close for a pioneering project that will see the establishment of a sustainable energy system on the Caribbean island of Bonaire. The system is designed to meet the island’s entire electricity needs sustainably. 

Econcern, the sustainable solutions provider, is leading the Ecopower consortium that will build, own and operate the energy system. The project includes construction of an 11 MW wind farm, supplied by Enercon, a 14 MW biodiesel plant, supplied by MAN, and a 3 MW backup battery. Enercon and MAN are partners in the consortium. The system, which is designed to meet the island’s electricity needs for the next 15 years, will reduce Bonaire’s reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports. Ecopower will exclusively sell the power generated to the Water and Electricity Company of Bonaire (WEB).

Due for completion by the end of 2009 the system will consist of 12 wind turbines and a biodiesel generator, and will produce 75,000 MWh per year. The system will reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 35,000 tonnes per year, this figure will rise to 70,000 tonnes once the biodiesel generator switches to biofuel. 

The wind farm alone has sufficient capacity for the island’s electricity needs; the biodiesel generator will ensure grid stability during periods of low wind speeds. The generator will initially run on conventional fuel oil but will switch to biofuel in the near future. 

Frank Wouters, managing director of Evelop: “The Bonaire project is proof that a sustainable energy supply for everyone is achievable. This project is an important show-case; Bonaire will be home to world’s largest stand-alone wind biodiesel generator project. We are especially proud that we have been able to develop, finance and construct this project in a very short time. In March 2006 we were asked to participate in the tender procedure, in December 2009 the plant will be operational. Sustainable energy systems provide security of supply, preserve the natural environment and reduce energy costs - Bonaire is the proof.”

Marcel Gerritsen, Global Head of Renewable Energy & Infrastructure Finance at Rabobank International: “This project is the first of its kind at this scale, and we are proud to be the financing partner. This project underlines our appetite to be at the forefront of financing innovative developments in the renewable energy industry.”  

Overview of Features of Bonaire: 

Wind Energy
Feasibility Studies:
To gain familiarity with wind patterns in Bonaire, an initial 330-kilwatt wind turbine was installed on the island in June 2007 – the wind turbine has exceeded expectations, returning 4,500 equivalent full load hours and 99% availability. 

Location:
An additional twelve wind turbines will be built on the north coast of Bonaire, where they will be exposed to the constant easterly trade winds. The wind farm alone has sufficient capacity for the island’s entire electricity needs. The biodiesel power plant generates a stable grid and supplies power when there is not enough wind.

Biodiesel Power Plant
Feasibility Studies:
The biodiesel power plant will be equipped to burn conventional and biofuels. Initially the plant will run on conventional heavy fuel oil; however the plant will switch to biofuel within two to three years of being in operation. Studies are currently being carried out on the production of bio-oil from algae. Another option is import bio-oil from countries in the region. 

About Econcern
Econcern www.econcern.com
Econcern’s mission is ‘a sustainable energy supply for everyone’. Econcern consists of operating companies Ecofys, Evelop, Ecostream, Ecoventures and OneCarbon. Together they deliver unique projects, innovative products and services for a sustainable energy supply. Econcern, which employs over 1,200 professionals in more than 20 countries across the world, was ranked No. 234 in Business Week’s top 500 listing of high-growth companies in Europe and has won the ‘European Business of the Year Award 2008.

For more information please contact:
Ellen Habermehl, Manager Communications Evelop
M:        0031(0)655 830295
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