Abu Dhabi powers into the Seychelles

Abu Dhabi has given the Republic of Seychelles a gusty gift.
Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Energy and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) launched an eight-turbine wind farm in the Republic of Seychelles this week.
The six-megawatt Port Victoria wind farm was developed by Masdar and funded by ADFD at an estimated USD $28 million – it is estimated to displace 5,500 tons of carbon dioxide.
President of the Republic of Seychelles, James Michel said: “We are grateful to the support from the UAE to fund, develop and deliver this wind power project.”
The wind farm will provide 2,100 homes with power and save 1.6 million litres of fuel per year on the Seychelles’ Mahé Island, home to 90 percent of the country’s population.
Michael said: “Access to sustainable, clean sources of energy is vital to our long-term economic development. The addition of wind power is a major step toward meeting our clean energy targets and reducing our dependency on imported sources of power.”
Currently, due to limited resources to produce electricity, Seychelles relies on fuel – accounting for 25 percent of the country’s net imports.
UAE minister of state and CEO of Masdar, HE Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “In particular for remote island nations, the integration of sustainable energy can deliver an immediate economic and tangible impact. Today, Seychelles can redirect fuel savings into investments in infrastructure development and social programmes to spur economic growth.”
Given the humidity and oceanic conditions surrounding the islands, Masdar used advanced turbines to resist corrosion, as well as the ability to harness energy in low and medium wind speeds. The eight wind turbines were constructed on two separate islands and connect the wind farm with three kilometres of subsea cable.
Al Jaber said: “This project builds on Masdar’s commitment to demonstrating the economic and environmental advantages of renewable energy.”