GES builds solar energy plant at Madagascar quarry

Green Energy Solutions (GES) is building a hybrid solar power plant at the Colas-owned Ambokatra quarry on the East African island of Madagascar.
Ancillary Equipment / April 6, 2021
By Liam McLoughlin
The quarry will use a new hybrid solution combining photovoltaic and thermal technologies. Image: AXIAN Group
The quarry will use a new hybrid solution combining photovoltaic and thermal technologies. Image: AXIAN Group

GES, a joint venture of the AXIAN Group and GreenYellow Group, has signed a seven-year energy agreement with construction materials supplier Colas Madagascar to supply electricity to meet 100% of the energy needs of the Ambokatra materials production site at Toamasina using a new hybrid solution combining photovoltaic and thermal technologies.

The hybrid plant is fully financed, built and operated by GES will be mobile and so will operate independently of the electricity grid. AXIAN Group ssys this type of equipment is particularly suited to remote areas and can be installed, commissioned and be quickly ready for operation.

The plant, due to be completed by the end of June 2021, will be equipped with state-of-the-art electrical and renewable energy technologies, designed to guarantee availability and efficiency for Colas Madagascar.

The solar power plant will have a capacity of 148 kWp and will consist of two fully integrated and installed modules. It will also be equipped with an energy storage system that will allow the site to be powered at night and during closing days.

AXIAN Group say it is committed to a strategy of reducing the carbon footprint of its activities. It has set itself an ambitious target to reach 100% of the energy consumed by the group to be renewable by 2030.

"More than attaining carbon neutral activities, we want to be a catalyst for the energy transition in Madagascar and on the African continent," said Benjamin Memmi, MD of AXIAN Energy.

"This Ambokatra project is the first in Madagascar to be equipped with a hybrid power plant aimed at significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

Pierre Marouby, MD of GreenYellow Indian Ocean, added: "GreenYellow is pleased to support the Colas Group in its energy transition through this Ambokatra project. This reinforces the group’s ambition to be the energy partner of private and public organisations in Madagascar with one common guideline: Consume better, Consume less!"

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