Apex- BP Solar Takes Part in the Electrical Development of the Great Southern Desert of Tunisia

St Mathieu de Treviers, France, October 20, 2005: Apex-BP Solar has been selected by TunisieTelecom to take part in the development of the Great Southern Desert of Tunisia based on its expertise in the electrification of remote areas. TunisieTelecom, the public Tunisian telecommunications operator, will build four telecommunication repeater stations powered solely by photovoltaic solar power in the open desert. In this very remote area of the Great Southern Desert, which is still not connected to the electricity grid and where the climatic conditions are extreme (temperatures in excess of 50°C or 122°F, sand storms, etc.), the choice of solar power was obvious.

Apex-BP Solar was selected by the Tunisian operator for its experience in remote sites and for its ability to complete this turnkey project, which includes the supply, installation, commission and training for solar power centres, including the photovoltaic array and the air-conditioned shelter to house the electronic equipment.

All local telecommunications services such as civil engineering, commissioning and training will be provided by TELEMAGH, Apex-BP Solar’s partner in Tunisia.

This project includes system installation with peak power ranging between 9 kWc and 31 kWc for a total installed capacity of 71 kWc. The contract as a whole amounts to a sum of €570,000, or roughly $680,000.

Following this announcement, Cédric Dupuy, Sales Director of Apex-BP Solar and Director of BP Solar Maroc, stated “this project is proof of the technical and commercial excellence of Apex-BP Solar, which has met the requirements of the historical Tunisian operator’s specifications, demonstrating once again its know-how and ability to innovate”.
Khaled Fourati, Managing Director of TELMAGH affirmed that “this project once again demonstrates TELMAGH’s ability to reposition itself in advanced fields, whether closely or remotely concerned with that of telecommunications and always in association with internationally renown partners who are leaders in their field. Today, sustainable energy is one of the priorities of the Tunisian authorities and we are proud to be one its promoters”.

Arnaud Mine, Managing Director of Apex-BP Solar, declared that “this exemplary project is all the more meaningful in that the international community is increasingly concerned with the issues of development in Africa. Telecommunications is one of the essential requirements and this collaboration with the Tunisian operator proves that solutions are available”.

The Great Southern desert of Tunisia is the least densely populated part of the country yet the most attractive and intriguing.

Based near Montpellier, France, Apex-BP Solar has been a subsidiary of BP France since 1999 and specialises in designing and producing made-to-measure solar power systems using BP Solar panels. Apex-BP Solar has set up a network of branches in France and its overseas territories.

BP Solar is a global activity within the BP group employing more than 2,000 people. Specialising in converting solar energy into electricity, its activities include designing, manufacturing and distributing high quality solar power systems covering a wide range of applications in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. With more than 30 years’ experience and systems in more than 160 countries, BP Solar is one of the leading players in the field of solar power and has manufacturing plants in the United States, Spain, India and Australia. BP Solar is an integral part of the BP Group, one of world’s leading energy groups.

For further information please follow the link below.
www.bpsolar.fr

Notes to editors
Created in 1995, TELMAGH is a Tunisian company which specialises in telecommunications and has been approved by the Ministry of Communication Technologies. TELMAGH employs 25 people with a management ration of more than 55%. Originally specialising in private telecommunications, TELMAGH has diversified as different opportunities have arisen.

Contact Information

Philippe Lambert

BP France

BP

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