Under the terms of the MOU, ABB microgrid power stabilization solutions and the factory-refurbished Vestas wind turbines will be integrated to create hybrid generation systems for remote off-grid and micro-grid communities, with initial focus on Wind for Prosperity projects in Kenya.
The Wind for Prosperity initiative aims to provide affordable, reliable and stable wind-generated electricity systems to rural populations in developing countries.
The solutions, which will be deployed at remote locations with limited infrastructure in developing markets, will help in developing markets gain access to affordable clean electricity for remote off-grid and microgrid communities.
ABB Power Systems division head Claudio Facchin said: "ABB’s proven microgrid technology will increase use of renewable energy while reducing costs for fossil fuels and ensuring utility-grade power quality."
Wind for Prosperity initiative is focusing initially on rural Kenya, where 13 communities that are home to over 200,000 people have been recognized as potential project areas.
The initiative aims to deploy hybrid power generation systems to supply electricity at significantly lower cost than diesel-only power production in 100 communities reaching about one million people over the next three years.
Vestas Group senior vice president Morten Albæk said: "The Vestas-ABB collaboration on Wind for Prosperity is a significant step forward in bringing these projects to life.
"The agreement we announced today unites each company’s technological expertise to create a combined solution for exactly the type of off-grid and micro-grid wind-diesel hybrid power generation systems that we envision for Wind for Prosperity."
