Swiss energy storage provider Leclanché SA is partnering with the government of St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Kitts Electric Co., or SKELEC, to build a solar photovoltaic and lithium-ion battery storage project.

A 35.6-MW solar facility and a 44.2-MWh battery storage system will be installed in Basseterre Valley, adjacent to the City of Basseterre and the current SKELEC PowerStation on the island of St. Kitts.

The system will cover 25% to 30% of the nation's electricity needs while displacing the same amount of diesel-generated capacity, according to an Aug. 7 company news release.

SKELEC will buy the output of the project under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

Along with its local partner Solrid, Leclanché established a special purpose vehicle to fund, own and operate the facility.

Construction of the project is expected to start by mid-October, with a target completion date in September 2020.