The study comes as part of a collaborative agreement signed by the two parties in January 2009 to develop renewable energy in the Seychelles.
Studies undertaken by the Parties since the beginning of the year continue to suggest that wind energy is potentially viable on Mahe and the decision has been made to move to the next stage of the development process and undertake a detailed wind resource assessment study. The study is expected to take 12 to 15 months.
Four wind measurement masts will be installed as part of the wind resource assessment study to measure, amongst other things, wind speed and direction. The masts will be in operation for a minimum of one year.
The next phase of the project, which will be an investigation into the environmental, technical and commercial feasibility of installing wind energy generators on Mahe, will be launched upon completion of the wind resource assessment should the study determine wind conditions on the island to be suitable for the generation of electricity.
A site selection process identified Inner Harbour (Parcel H8331), La Misere (Parcel B1721) Tea Factory (Parcel B2509) and Four Seasons (Parcel T289) as locations for the masts. The selection process balanced environmental concerns against technical aspects such as electrical grid access and wind potential.
Current expectations are that the masts will be installed by the end of 2009. Some site preparation work is required prior to the installation of the masts and a tender for this work will be issued shortly.
Electricity generated from wind would be a material first step towards diversifying the Seychelles electricity supply system away from fossil fuels and in the process help mitigate risks associated with energy supply and climate change. Wind energy would also enhance the environmental credentials of the Seychelles, bringing with it branding benefits for the Seychelles tourist industry.
As the first major hydrocarbon-producing economy to take such a step, Abu Dhabi has established its leadership position by launching the Masdar Initiative.The Masdar Initiative driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) is a global cooperative platform for the open engagement in the search for solutions to some of mankind’s most pressing issues: energy security, climate change and the development of human expertise in sustainability.
Abu Dhabi is leveraging its substantial resources and experience in global energy markets into the technologies of the future. One key objective of Masdar is to position Abu Dhabi as a world-class research and development hub for new energy technologies, effectively balancing its strong position in an evolving world energy market.
A related objective is to drive the commercialization and adoption of these and other technologies in sustainable energy, carbon management and water conservation. In doing so, Masdar will play a decisive role in Abu Dhabi’s transition from technology consumer to technology producer.
The goal is the establishment of an entirely new economic sector in Abu Dhabi around these new industries, which will assist economic diversification and the development of knowledge-based industries, while enhancing Abu Dhabi’s existing record of environmental stewardship and its contribution to the global community.
Masdar City is the first clean-technology cluster located in a carbon-neutral, zero-waste city powered entirely by renewable energy. This free zone in Abu Dhabi seeks to become a global centre for innovation, research, product development and light manufacturing in the fields of renewable energy and sustainable technologies.
Leading multinational companies in the cleantech sector, as well as small- and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurial start-ups will locate R&D labs, marketing offices and headquarters in the city. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will base its headquarters in the city, while GE will build its first Ecomagination Centre at MasdarMasdar.
Masdar is an Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company that develops low-carbon solutions for a more sustainable future. By establishing a leading education and research institution, financing promising technologies, developing large-scale utilities, and building the world’s first carbon-neutral city. Masdar operates across the life-cycle of renewable energy technology at an unprecedented scale. Masdar is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mubadala Development Company.
www.masdar.ae/en/home/index.aspx
www.wwindea.org/home/index.php
