The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced a tender for the construction of a new solar photovoltaic (PV) park at Dhekelia, within the Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) in Cyprus.
The project aims to deliver an 875 kW capacity PV system, with future provisions for expansion, as part of efforts to enhance energy sustainability on the garrison.
Project Overview
The proposed PV park will be connected to the 11 kV network through a new substation, requiring the extension of the high-voltage (HV) ring cable over approximately 620 metres. Notably, the project design ensures that no power cuts will affect the garrison during installation.
Key features of the PV system include:
- Capacity: 875 kW
- Structure: Fixed aluminium frames, supporting two 600 Wp panels each, at a 30-degree ground inclination.
- Inverters: Nine inverters of 100 kW capacity (400 V, 50 Hz) housed in weatherproof electrical rooms.
- Configuration:
- 1,458 PV panels arranged in nine strings of 18 panels each.
- Each inverter handles 18 panels per string, generating approximately 97.2 kW.
The design incorporates provisions for future expansion, including two additional medium-voltage (MV) feeders and allocated space for two transformers and low-voltage (LV) panels.
Key Tender Dates
- Expression of Interest Opens: 23 December 2024
- Expression of Interest Deadline: 14 January 2025
- Invitation to Tender: 15 January 2025
- Tender Submission Deadline: 12 February 2025
- Contract Award Date: 17 March 2025
- Work Commencement: 18 March 2025
- Completion Date: 14 November 2025
The project, valued at €2 million, is suitable for SMEs. Interested companies must complete a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) by 14 January 2025. Companies that have submitted a PQQ in the past year need only provide their previous submission details to be considered.
I suppose that although this isn’t “Defence” in terms of direct military capability it’s a logical thing to do and will probably save Defence Budget dosh in the long term.
TBH I’ve never quite understood why given the amount of land MOD owns they don’t build way more and feed any surplus into the grid for £££’s.
The other indirect benefit is it makes bases less reliant on our Electricity Grid which to be blunt is a sitting duck and very difficult to regenerate in the event of Damage.
That’s not a great deal of power provision at all
I.ve done the math for my own home and solar will take a decade to repay if you use proper numbers. As for solar being more secure nice big gas turbine in harden shelter is the most secure option. Just last week part of a solar farm in the UK was destroyed by the storm so they’re no even safe during peace time.
If solar or wind turbines were the answer to wartime energy security they would be popping up all over Ukraine, but they’re not. Instead micro generation using fossil fuel power has been the go to option.
I’m all for going green but we need to be honest about its short coming and costs, that just not happening in the UK, perhaps not surprising as for every $ spent on fossil fuels $2 is spend on green energy, its now suffering for the same issues as big oil!!!