A landmark solar energy project has been commissioned on the Dutch Caribbean island of St Eustatius.

German energy firm SMA Sunbelt Energy has integrated 1.9 MWp of photovoltaic power and 1 MW of batteries, meaning the island will save up to 30 percent in fossil fuel consumption and save more than 800,000 liters of diesel fuel.

Until March, St Eustatius’ energy supply had been fully based on diesel.

“The project fully integrates three different energy sources on a large scale that work together in a harmonized manner: solar power, battery storage and diesel gensets,” said Volker Wachenfeld, Executive Vice President SMA business unit Off-Grid and Storage. The project is designed to generate enough clean solar power to cover more than 23% of St. Eustatius’ annual electricity demand of 13.5 GWh.”

Curaçao-based Eco Energy installed the PV plant.

“The installation in St. Eustatius is the first project of its kind in the entire Caribbean region and will likely serve as an example of what’s possible to neighboring islands,” the company said.