Electricity + Control November 2019

ENERGY MANAGEMENT + ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

B2Gold’s Fekola solar project, Mali Solar energy has become a keenly competitive energy source. In off- grid energy systems, solar energy combined with conventional energy generation and battery storage can provide secure power through day and night. B2Gold operates the Fekola gold mine in Mali, West Africa, where Suntrace GmbH in partnership with BayWa r.e. completed a preliminary study earlier this year evaluating the technical and economic viability of adding a solar battery plant to the mine site. Following from the results of the study, B2Gold approved a US$ 38million project for implementation in 2019-2020, which will be one of the world's largest off-grid solar battery hybrid systems. Construction will start at the end of 2019 and is scheduled for completion in August 2020. Suntrace and BayWa r.e. were selected as solar experts to support B2Gold in the implemention of the project, providing all required technical expertise, such as detailed engineering, procurement support and support during construction and commissioning until completion of the project. Martin Schlecht, COO of Suntrace, said, “This signals B2Gold’s strong commitment to build such a significant solar-battery plant as a fuel saver for the Fekola mine. The project is a landmark in terms of battery and PV plant size in an off-grid project. We are proud that B2Gold has entrusted Suntrace and BayWa r.e. as experts to support the implementation of this project.” Tobias Kriete, Regional Manager Africa at BayWa r.e. Solar Projects GmbH, commented further: “This is a great achievement for B2Gold and its move towards sustainable production. The fuel savings will enable repayment on the investment as well as lower energy costs and cut carbon emissions.” Philipp Kunze, Head of BayWa r.e. Solar Projects’s Global Hybrid Team added that the realisation of this innovative system highlights the hybrid expertise of Suntrace and BayWa r.e. The PV-battery system will be integrated with the existing power plant to ensure safe and reliable operation of the hybrid and allow fuel savings of 13.1 million litres of heavy fuel oil (HFO) per year. The solar battery system will cut total energy costs and CO 2 emissions significantly. Electricity for the mining site is currently generated exclusively by HFO and diesel generators. The addition of the 30 MW net capacity solar battery plant will allow the mine to shut-off up to three HFO engines during daylight hours, with the 13.5 MWh battery storage providing the buffer for irradiation fluctuations. Suntrace and BayWa r.e, will implement the project with B2Gold until it goes into operation and will thus make a significant contribution to sustainable power generation for mines in West Africa. For more information email: Sabrina.braemer@suntrace.de or: felix.gmelin@baywa-re.com

B2Gold has given the go ahead for construction of a PV solar battery storage system at its Fekola gold mine in Mali.

Electricity + Control

NOVEMBER 2019

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