The energy industry is faced with systemic challenges that can only be solved by optimising the whole system from power plant and energy storage to grid – and increasing and optimising the use of renewables. This is a complex task that requires a holistic approach, but it delivers multiple benefits.
Let Decarbonisation Services help you achieve your goals by finding the optimal balance between commercial, operational and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) factors. With outcome-based agreements, you can be certain that we will only recommend what you really need – and go the extra mile as our fee is linked to your success.
Let us diagnose your unique challenge, model the optimal yet feasible solution, and implement it with our GEMS Digital Energy Platform.
Our holistic approach offers you all the services, equipment, software and support you need every step of the way over the whole lifecycle.
Helping you supply affordable energy while meeting your commercial, operational and ESG targets.
We use our industry understanding and power system modelling tools and capabilities to identify your challenges whether current operational or future ones brought on by renewable integration.
We model both the optimal solution to meet your needs and its feasibility using techno-economic analysis (cost optimisation / minimisation) and dynamic simulations (frequency and voltage stay within limitations). We strive for as accurate real-world conditions as possible.
The solution and support will be implemented with GEMS, our Digital Energy Platform, and a lifecycle agreement.
Our performance in achieving your targets is tracked, and our fee is linked to your targets as defined in the outcome-based service agreement.
Aqualectra and Wärtsilä: A Partnership Driving Decarbonisation
Curaçao is on an ambitious journey to transform its energy landscape—moving from 30% renewable capacity to 70% by 2027. At the heart of this transition is Aqualectra, the island’s trusted energy utility, and Wärtsilä, a global leader in flexible power solutions. Together, they’re shaping a cleaner, more resilient future for over 80,000 households and businesses.
For over 30 years, Wärtsilä has worked hand-in-hand with Aqualectra, evolving from power generation to a pioneering Decarbonisation Services agreement. Today, this collaboration includes advanced grid balancing engines, energy storage systems, and Wärtsilä’s GEMS Digital Energy Platform—optimising energy use across the island. The result? Affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity for Curaçao’s residents.
Together, we are building a blueprint for resilient and sustainable island energy systems worldwide.
Watch the video to see how this partnership is making a real impact.
Regulatory compliance is ensured and sustainability targets are met – and reputations are protected. Products with a lower carbon footprint offer a competitive advantage. Access to investments improves.
Compliance with current and future environmental regulations is assured. Reliability and stability are enhanced. Affordable and reliable electricity is provided to the grid and end customers. Profitability and competitivity are improved, energy assets are future-proofed, and access to capital improves
Wärtsilä operates in 180 countries with 79GW of power plants and 130+ energy storage installations. Our deep understanding of power systems enables us to accurately identify and solve customer challenges and offer an asset and manufacturer-agnostic, optimal solution tailored to your needs.
A Net Promoter Score of 73 (2024) shows that our customers appreciate what we do for them.
Our holistic approach utilises power system modelling, in-depth technical expertise in engine technology and energy storage systems, and our proficiency in energy system optimisation.
By combining these, we deliver comprehensive solutions that drive decarbonisation and create value for our customers.
With a 90% renewal rate for lifecycle services, our commitment to our customers long-term success is clear. We can help you succeed further with our outcome-based agreements.
Our outcome-based fee structure ensures shared responsibility and long-term value.
We will not recommend a solution which doesn’t work since our fee is dependent on customer success.
Technology group Wärtsilä will supply the Caribbean island of Curaҫao with a 25 MW / 25 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The system will enable the expansion of renewable energy capacity and the reduction of carbon emissions, representing an important step towards a sustainable energy future for the island. The order was placed by Aqualectra, Curacao’s government owned utilities company, and will be booked by Wärtsilä in Q2, 2024.
The BESS and the GEMS Digital Energy Platform will provide grid stability and reliability, reduce unserved energy and help mitigate the risk of brownouts and blackouts. In addition, the BESS system will allow Aqualectra to expand their renewables’ vision thus allowing more renewable generation in the power system. The BESS system will also help smooth the intermittency of renewables.
"Aqualectra’s strategic objective is to provide the community with affordable, sustainable, and reliable electricity. The Wärtsilä solution will support all these objectives through reducing generation costs, enabling the integration of renewables, and decreasing CO2 emissions, while providing high reliability," comments Joseph Everon, Advisor to the CTO at Aqualectra.
The order with Wärtsilä follows a detailed modelling of the power system to determine the best way forward.
"The BESS and GEMS provide the reserves needed to improve asset loading, and therefore efficiency, availability of energy, grid stability and reliability. Wärtsilä’s leading technologies and our capabilities of lifecycle services will support Aqualectra’s vision of a sustainable energy future. We are pleased to continue our close partnership with this project," says Christoffer Ek, Director of Decarbonisation services at Wärtsilä Energy.
"The Caribbean has been an important region for Wärtsilä for decades and we have established many long-term relationships over that time. Aqualectra has been one of those great partners and this announcement to add BESS to their system with Wärtsilä is another sign of that strong relationship. Wärtsilä is here with solutions and capabilities for the Caribbean, and we are excited to continue serving this market for decades to come," says Jon Rodriguez, Energy Business Director at Wärtsilä Energy.
The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery in Q1/2025, and the project is expected to be fully operational by the end of Q2/2025.
Aqualectra is an existing Wärtsilä customer. The company operates three Wärtsilä engine power plants comprising a total of 16 generating sets.
Media contact for more information on this release:
Katri Pehkonen
Communications Manager
Wärtsilä Energy
Mob: +358 50 591 6180
katri.pehkonen@wartsila.com
Image caption: Picture from left to right: Rudolf Garmes, Joseph Everon, Reagan Celestijn, Marc Tarbox, Tganni Louisy, Neysa Isenia, Vianney Muzo, Staffan Nygard, Mathias West, Christoffer Ek, Edul Raphaela, Granger Jahnastasio. © Aqualectra
All Wärtsilä releases are available at www.wartsila.com/media/news-releases and at news.cision.com/wartsila-corporation where also the images can be downloaded. Use of the image(s) is allowed only in connection with the contents of this press release. Wärtsilä images are available at www.wartsila.com/media/image-bank.
Wärtsilä Energy in brief
Wärtsilä Energy is at the forefront of the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. We help our customers and the power sector to accelerate their decarbonisation journeys through our market-leading technologies and power system expertise. Our solutions include flexible engine power plants, energy storage and optimisation technology, and services for the whole lifecycle of our installations. Our engines are future-proof and can run on sustainable fuels. Our track record comprises 79 GW of power plant capacity, of which 18 GW are under service agreements, and over 125 energy storage systems, in 180 countries around the world.
www.wartsila.com/energy
Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,800 professionals in more than 280 locations in 79 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2023, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 6.0 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com
Christoffer Ek, Director, Decarbonisation services
christoffer.ek@wartsila.com
