Solar powered abalone farming likely to shell out rewards

Sustainable aquaculture development

SOUTH AFRICA: Having initiated the construction of a solar system in November last year, Aqunion is currently undertaking testing ahead of commissioning the solution which aims to combat the rising cost of electricity and mitigate threats of loadshedding.

Aqunion, a subsidiary of the Sea Harvest Group, commissioned the delivery of the system from Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS) after following a competitive tender process and the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) eliminated the need for upfront capital investment by Aqunion.

“Our operations need a constant and reliable power supply to maintain the best conditions for our high-value abalone, and we've implemented numerous energy efficiencies,” explains Rowan Yearsley, CEO of Aqunion. “SPS offered us a comprehensive solar and battery energy storage solution that aligned with our goals of reducing operational costs and improving our sustainability.”

The installation of the solar panels, strategically placed over existing abalone tanks, required custom engineering to withstand the corrosive environment close to salt water. “We had to integrate with existing infrastructure seamlessly and ensure the durability of the system despite the harsh conditions,” noted Johan Wolmarans, Senior Energy Storage Specialist at SPS.

“Our tailored approach focuses on creating a microgrid which leverages the synergy between solar power and energy storage to deliver both reliability and cost efficiency,” says Wolmarans. The setup includes a battery-based energy storage system designed to deliver up to four hours of backup power and a solar array capable of supplying about 22% of Aqunion's required annual energy.

With the implementation of SPS’s renewable energy solution, Aqunion anticipates a significant shift in its energy consumption profile. “We expect to see our energy costs decrease over time and our reliance on renewable energy increase from 10% to 30%,” Yearsley comments.

As the project moves into full operation, Aqunion is set to establish a new benchmark in sustainable aquaculture, reflecting a successful cooperation/collaboration between industry expertise and cutting-edge renewable technology.