Mott MacDonald supports acquisition of American Samoan wind power project

Mott MacDonald has supported RENOVA, Inc. in its 50% acquisition of American Samoa Hybrid Wind Project. Located on Tutuila Island in the Pacific Ocean, the American Samoa Hybrid Wind Project will feature a 42MW onshore wind farm and a 40MWh battery energy storage system.

With a population of 55,000, Tutuila Island currently generates more than 90% of its electricity from imported diesel. The project is expected to increase the share of renewable energy power generation to more than 50%, significantly reducing the island’s reliance on fossil fuels and bringing it in line with American Samoa’s 2016 Energy Action Plan, which calls for renewable energy to account for 50% of the country’s power generation by 2025, and 100% by 2040.

Acting as technical advisor to RENOVA, who reviewed this project with its partner Nippon Koei Co., Ltd, Mott MacDonald undertook a feasibility study, which included an independent energy yield assessment and evaluation of existing grid studies and helped to evaluate the impact and potential capacity of the project. Specialists from across the region evaluated the proposed wind farm project technology and site characteristics, developed a conceptual construction, operation and maintenance plan, elaborated preliminary cost estimations and performed an initial environmental and social impact study.

Alejandro Menéndez Engra, Mott MacDonald’s project manager, said: “Our involvement in this project is expected to support reduction in the dependency of the island on diesel generators by introducing another clean and reliable alternative to its energy mix. We’re delighted to continue our involvement during the development phase of this project which will also help to create local job opportunities and facilitate the energy transition of the island.”

Mott MacDonald will continue to hold a technical advisory role on the project, helping to monitor and optimise the wind measurement campaign at the project site, to improve the accuracy and confidence of the energy yield assumptions. This will be achieved using Met Wise, Mott MacDonald’s state-of-the-art environmental monitoring platform and part of the firm’s digital twin platform Moata Smart Energy.