Qair building world’s largest salt-water floating solar plant in Seychelles

Seychelles is set to host the world’s largest salt-water floating solar plant, following the signing of Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with French renewable energy independent power producer, Qair, this week. 

The historic signing took place on Energy Observer, the first zero-emission vessel to be self-sufficient in energy, serving as a laboratory for ecological transition and advocating for renewable energy.

Under the PPA, Qair will develop, build and operate on the lagoon of Providence a 5.8 MWp floating solar plant to supply renewable energy to the Seychelles grid. The construction of the plant is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2023. 

The signing concludes the negotiations that began in November 2019 when Qair won the tender for the development of a floating PV project in the Republic of Seychelles. 

“We are thrilled to be working with the Seychelles government and contribute to the Republic’s transition to a low-carbon economy,” said Olivier Gaering, Indian Ocean Region Director at Qair. 

“The floating solar plant is a game-changer for Seychelles, providing a reliable source of renewable energy and contributing to the country’s sustainable development. We are especially proud to sign the first Seychellois PPA for a floating solar plant on Energy Observer, our partner zero-emission vessel,” Gaering adds.

Completion of the floating solar power plant is set to help Seychelles move closer to its zero-emissions target by 2050.

“The government is determined to ensure energy security through the best investments and with the use of renewable energy in Seychelles,” said the Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Energy, Flavien Joubert, in his speech after the signing of the agreements.

“Just seven months separate us from this agreement and having a plant in operation in Seychelles,” he concludes.