Finnish corporation Wartsila is entering the solar energy markets by delivering utility-scale solar photo-voltaic (PV) solutions.
Wartsila’s usual business involves the provision of power solutions for the marine and energy markets. Its new solutions feature solar PV power plants, starting at 10MW capacity, as well as hybrid power plants that include solar PV plants and internal combustion engines.
The company will provide its solutions to the independent power producers (IPP), utilities, and industrial customers. It is aiming for annual sales of €300m from its solar business by 2020, and it plans to deliver both of the solutions under a full engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) model.
Wartsila Energy Solutions president Javier Cavada said: "We are excited to expand our portfolio with new sustainable innovations and help our customers reduce their carbon emissions.
"Large-scale solar is a big business, with the installed base expected to grow four-fold to 450GW by 2025.
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By GlobalData"Our competitive-edge builds on three things: global EPC capability, a wide sales and service network, and an existing customer base in 176 countries."
Solar PV modules for the EPC projects will be sourced from well-known module suppliers. It will also be one of the first to offer utility-scale solar hybrid plants solutions, which combine a solar PV park with an ultra-flexible Wartsila Smart Power Generation power plant. The two units operate together to help cut fuel consumption.
The company is intending to focus on areas such as the Middle-East, Latin America, Africa and South East Asia. Its first solar project will feature a retrofit hybrid plant and be built in Jordan, Western Asia.
Amman East Power Plant (AES) Jordan president and CEO Meftaur Rahman said: "The solar unit will reduce the carbon footprint of the power plant by saving fuel during the daytime."
The Jordan plant features asolar PV farm with IPP4, along with a 250MW Smart Power Generation plant including 16 Wartsila 50DF engines.
Wartsila’s EPC scope includes 46MW of solar modules that span an area of 81ha, as well as inverters, control systems, switchgear and overhead transmission lines.
Image: Wartsila will build its first solar project in Jordan. Photo: courtesy of Wartsila.