'Interesting opportunities' | BP solar arm lifts veil on PV-fed fishery flagship off Taiwan
Lightsource bp and partner Green Rock Energy move ahead with 150MW Bundai development, which will flow 210,000MWh of electricity to aquaculture facility
Oil giant BP’s solar arm, Lightsource bp, has unveiled the company’s first-ever clean energy-fed aquaculture project, a 150MW PV-powered fishery off Taiwan.
“This deal reflects the innovative ways renewable energy can be deployed to power both industries and communities. Lightsource bp has achieved phenomenal growth and it’s exactly the type of pace we want to keep as we head towards a net zero future,” said David Anderson, BP’s senior vice president of renewables growth.
Lightsource bp CEO Nick Boyle stated: “There are a lot of interesting opportunities for solar in Asia and our long-term ambition is to have an EMEA [Europe, Middle East and Africa], Americas and an Asia Pacific region so we’re excited that through our first East Asian project in Taiwan, we are beginning to build that third leg of the stool.
“Taiwan relies on imports for about 95% of its energy which leaves its energy supply vulnerable to external disruption. This energy challenge, coupled with the need for sustainably generated electricity makes Taiwan a unique project.”
Lightsource bp said the solar fishery project was “designed to benefit the local environment and community”, with company having engaged environmental specialists to develop Bundai to include 200 ponds for fishermen’s use and adding saltwater storage lagoons to optimise water management practices.