ALBIOMA : Commissioning of the first peak-load combustion turbine fueled by sugarcane-based bioethanol in La Réunion

Press release Paris La Défense, 25 February 2019 Commissioning of the first peak-load combustion turbine fueled by sugarcane-based bioethanol in La Réunion Albioma is pleased to announce the industrial commissioning of the first peak-load combustion turbine (CT) operating primarily on...

London, 25/02/2019 (informazione.news - comunicati stampa - energia)

Paris La Défense, 25 February 2019

Albioma is pleased to announce the industrial commissioning of the first peak-load combustion turbine (CT) operating primarily on bioethanol in Saint-Pierre, Réunion Island, on 25 February 2019. The amount of the investment is approximately €60m.

Dedicated to the production of renewable energy, the CT works with two types of fuel: bioethanol (80%) from the distillation of sugarcane molasses, produced locally at the Rivière du Mât distillery, and diesel fuel (20%), which is needed to start the turbine.

The 41 MW combustion turbine is a flexible and highly responsive means of production. Designed to start in less than 7 minutes, it keeps up with consumption peaks, especially at the end of the day, and helps secure the Réunion grid. It facilitates the integration and management by the network of other sources of renewable energy, such as solar power.

In order to ensure the stability of its power grid, Albioma has been developing a unique partnership with the sugar industry for over 25 years. This has enabled it to transform bagasse into energy locally, by means of two thermal power plants located close to the sugar factories in Le Gol and Bois-Rouge. In addition, Albioma, the solar power leader in Overseas France, has a large photovoltaic park (27.8MW) on the island. Over the coming year, Albioma will be commissioning several plants with storage capabilities, including a plant on the Stade de l'Est (1.25MW), and 51 photovoltaic plants without storage capability on the roofs of the apartment buildings of SHLMR (a low-income housing rental company on Réunion Island).

The commissioning of the CT highlights Albioma's engineering know-how and confirms its status as a key player in renewable energies, controlling the production of baseload or peak energy.

Albioma continues to innovate, ensuring the stability of power grids, primarily in isolated areas where the grid is weak, and helping to accelerate the energy transition.

Next on the agenda: annual results for the 2018 financial year, on 8 March 2019 (before trading).