Tonga’s first large batteries will store renewable energy

An agreement was signed between Tonga Power Limited and Akuo Energy SAS, a French independent power producer specializing in developing and operating renewable energy power plants, on 18 July in Nuku'alofa.

Battery energy storage systems are a vital component to reaching Tonga’s 50% Renewable Energy target.

Tonga Power CEO Setitaia Chen said this project will enable more capacity to install further renewable energy generation projects from wind and solar energy to achieve our national target of 50% Renewable Energy by 2020.

The batteries will be able to store renewable energy generated from our existing solar and wind generation sites and distribute it to the people of Tonga when required.

The project consists of six 40-foot containers with Samsung lLithium ion batteries and inverters to convert power from AC to DC to enable storage of energy generated and also to feed power back into the grid. 

It will have a power capacity of 5MW and storage capacity of 2.5MWh. 

The project is expected to enter its planning and construction stages in the next few months.

The agreement was signed by TPL CEO Mr. Setitaia Chen and Akuo Energy Chief Operation Officer, Adrien Nayan Bock. Attending the signing, officials from the Government of Tonga, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Asian Development Bank.

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Source: Matangi Tonga Online