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Bonaire to become Caribbean’s first self-supporting island with sustainable energy
Utrecht/Bonaire, Monday 5 February 2007 - EcoPower Bonaire
BV, a consortium of Econcern, Enercon and MAN, has signed a contract with the Water and
Energy Company of Bonaire (WEB Bonaire NV) to build a new wind turbine. This is the first
step in a wind/diesel project that will supply the South Caribbean Island with 10 MW from
wind and 13 MW from diesel. Bonaire requires approximately 12 MW at peak moments. The
system will be able to provide the whole island with electricity by the end of 2008. It will drive
energy prices down while at the same time reducing Bonaire’s dependence on the fluctuating
oil prices.
Dirk Berkhout, member of the board of Econcern: “The cost of the wind/diesel combination is
approximately 35-40 million dollars. We expect that some of this can be recovered via CO2 credits.
The main objective of the first phase of the project is to gain experience with wind energy on
Bonaire and to reduce short-term electricity costs. The finalised system design will rely on 40% of
the total power requirement coming from wind. The remainder will be supplied with fuel oil,
preferably biofuel. By 2010 it is conceivable that Bonaire will get all of its electrical energy from
natural, renewable sources.”
Wind turbine at Sorobon, Southeast Bonaire
EcoPower intends to install a new Enercon E33 wind turbine at Sorobon on the Southeast coast of
Bonaire. An obsolete Nedwind turbine will be removed. The turbine has not been operational for the
last 10 years. The Sorbon site is the ideal location for the new wind turbine, with its favourable
climate conditions and the existing grid connection for one medium-sized device. The first wind
turbine will start supplying electricity in the second quarter of 2007.
Wind diesel energy supply
The next phase – to be completed in the 3rd quarter of 2008 – will involve the construction of a 10
MW wind farm and a 13 MW diesel power plant. The wind farm (11 or 12 turbines) will be built on
the Northeast coast of Bonaire, the windward side of the island. Each turbine has the capacity to
produce 0.8 – 0.9 MW of energy. Under ideal circumstances, this wind farm alone could meet
Bonaire’s current electrical needs. The wind farm will be designed based on measurements
registered by a Met mast that was installed in January. A new 13-MW diesel power plant will be
built by MAN at the BOPEC site. The plant will be equipped to burn both conventional and biofuels.
Econcern (www.econcern.com)
Econcern is the holding company of Ecofys, Evelop, Ecostream and Ecoventures. The mission of these European
companies is to ensure ‘a sustainable energy supply for everyone’. Econcern delivers unique projects and innovative
products and services for a sustainable energy supply. The Econcern group employs about 550 professionals in 15
countries.
The consortium partners
The new company Ecopower Bonaire BV will build, own and operate the facilities. It is also responsible for technical
management during the first phase. MAN, the largest diesel engine manufacturer in the world, will manage the technical
aspects involved in building the new power plant near BOPEC in the north-west corner of Bonaire. Enercon, the world’s
fourth largest manufacturer of wind turbines, will deliver the turbines.
 

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