1. December 2020
Small islands states across the world have the smallest impact on climate change globally. Yet they often suffer the greatest impact of its consequences. Leaders across the region are forced to navigate the ongoing threat of rising sea levels and an increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather, even amid a global pandemic and its severe economic impact. The growing renewable energy sector offers a significant opportunity for advancing recovery in the region.
The Clinton Foundation has supported renewable energy planning in the Caribbean for several years through the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI). The CCI works with island governments and utilities to develop scalable projects and innovative models for renewable energy transformation. CCI has partnered with 15 island states across the Caribbean and Indian Ocean, bringing together critical stakeholders from across the public and private sectors, as well as NGOs, to enable the islands’ transition to low-carbon, more resilient economies and societies. Knowledge about their opportunities within renewable energy is key to this transition.
Webinar and technical and procurement training
Floating solar installations can be particularly relevant for islands which are often faced with challenges related to power supply, extreme weather, and grid flexibility.
Increased interest in private Independent Power Producer (IPP) investments, emerging renewable energy markets, and cost declines in renewable energy infrastructure, make floating solar PV systems (FPV) a compelling option for island states addressing these challenges.
On 3rd December, CCI and partner Multiconsult, a leading technical advisor in renewable energy technologies in Scandinavia, will host “Floating solar – Part of the solution for island nations?,” a webinar open to all that will cover advancements in FPV technology, markets, and floating solar’s potential for islands’ renewable energy transition.
The webinar will be followed by two weeks of in-depth technical and procurement training geared towards governments, regulators, utilities, investors, and other stakeholders in these areas. Registration is required for the training sessions to ensure courses are relevant and interactive for all participants.
“The aim is to equip key stakeholders in these areas with an understanding of the potential of FPV in respective power systems and geographical environments,” says Magnus Sletmoe Dale, project manager at Multiconsult, which will contribute to crucial technical and procurement training.
All sessions are free of charge and will be carried out twice to accommodate stakeholders in different time zones across the Caribbean, Africa and the Indian Ocean.
“Climate change remains an existential threat to our health and safety. Renewable energy represents a compelling opportunity for island nations to create good jobs and stimulate economic diversification, and CCI has identified several opportunities for floating solar PV systems across the region. We are happy to work closely with Multiconsult to launch this webinar series to raise awareness for this technology which has grown substantially in just the last few years,” says Fiona Wilson, senior programme manager at CCI.
Sign up for the webinar and training program
In addition to Multiconsult’s experts on FPV and IPP procurement, speakers include the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF), the African Development Bank, and world leading legal adviser Trinity International. The Seychelles Energy Commission (SEC) will be sharing first-hand experience from their procurement of a utility-scale FPV IPP.
“We are very pleased with this line-up which should provide a sound commercial, technical, and legal understanding of FPV systems and IPP procurement,” says Dale.
Technical sessions will cover topics including market trends, market players, FPV systems design, operations & maintenance considerations, and grid integration. Procurement sessions will cover aspects relevant for procuring IPPs, including roles, timelines, processes, and tools.
Participants will be awarded a training certificate at the end of the program.
To sign up for the training program, please visit http://clintonfoundation.org/floatingsolar2020
You can read more about the Clinton Foundation climate initiative here : https://www.clintonfoundation.org/our-work/clinton-climate-initiative/