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 has signed an innovative decarbonisation services agreement with Aqualectra, the energy utility company of the Caribbean island of Curaçao. The agreement will see Wärtsilä's payments directly tied to achieving key performance indicators: how effectively it maximises renewable energy use, reducing CO2 emissions intensity, lowering costs, and enhancing energy reliability on Curaçao. The agreement was booked in Wärtsilä’s order intake in Q1 2025.
The five-year agreement will see Wärtsilä optimise the energy generation on the island in collaboration with Aqualectra providing a significant step towards Curaçao achieving its target of moving from its current 30 percent renewable capacity to 50 percent in 2025 and 70 percent by at least 2027.
To support Curaçao’s decarbonisation efforts, Wärtsilä will leverage energy storage, grid balancing engines and its GEMS Digital Energy Platform to optimise energy use across the island, delivering the flexibility required to maximise existing renewable and fossil based generation assets and future renewable deployments. The partnership will also see Wärtsilä install a new 38.4 MW grid balancing power plant and a 25 MW / 45 MWh Energy Storage System.
Anders Lindberg, President of Wärtsilä Energy and EVP Wärtsilä, says: “Accelerating the renewable energy transition is at the heart of our mission at Wärtsilä and this deal showcases exactly how our combination of grid balancing engines, energy storage and optimisation software can work in harmony to enable wind and solar to thrive. At Wärtsilä we are not just talking the talk, but walking the walk.”.
“Our unique partnership with Aqualectra and the island of Curaçao demonstrates the benefits of connected, strategic system planning to accelerate decarbonisation. We expect it to be the first of many, as we collaborate with other micro-grids, such as island nations and even heavy industries such as mining, to tackle decarbonisation head-on,” Lindberg continues.
Through this partnership Curaçao residents will benefit from more affordable, sustainable, and reliable electricity supply, with Wärtsilä also delivering on-the-ground expertise to support Aqualectra’s skilled team.
Aqualectra proudly reached a renewable penetration of at least 30% as baseload in the last decade and now sees the opportunity to further increase the renewable penetration beyond 50% while minimizing spinning reserves and therefore optimizing fuel usage on grid balancing engines. The increased renewable penetration and optimized fuel consumption will lower the impact on the environment and have a significant impact on lowering the tariff for the community of Curaçao.
The project is underpinned by rigorous short-term and long-term analysis and modelling by Wärtsilä in collaboration with Aqualectra, which has enabled the company to develop a clear decarbonisation and optimisation roadmap for the islanded grid.
Island nations are some of the most vulnerable places to climate change due to intensifying extreme weather and rising sea levels. Many island nations are particularly driven to decarbonise their grids, with Curaçao being a prime example of an island leading the way to prioritise flexibility and clean energy, while also increasing its resilience against global energy challenges.
The partnership between Wärtsilä and Aqualectra is a blueprint for other island nations seeking to develop flexible, resilient energy grids, enabling more renewable capacity and self-sufficiency. Wärtsilä’s technology is also very well suited for small energy grids, meaning it is well-primed to enable the decarbonisation of other island nations at pace and scale.
Media contact:
Katri Pehkonen
Communications Manager
Wärtsilä Energy
Mob: +358 50 591 6180
katri.pehkonen@wartsila.com
Image caption: Wärtsilä has signed an innovative decarbonisation services agreement with Aqualectra, the energy utility company of the Caribbean island of Curaçao. © Aqualectra
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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 and over 130 energy storage systems in 180 countries around the world. Over 30% of our operating installed base is under service agreements.
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 18,300 professionals in more than 230 locations in 77 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2024, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 6.4 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com
Aqualectra
Aqualectra is Curaçao’s government-owned utility company. It produces and distributes water and electricity to over 80,000 households and companies. Aqualectra employs 615 dedicated women and men who provide the framework for delivering quality products and services to our customers.
www.aqualectra.com
Christoffer Ek, Director, Decarbonisation services
christoffer.ek@wartsila.com
