Vora for R&A Marine Services – Bougainville Island Community Power Project

Client: R&A Marine Services
Location: Bougainville Island, Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
Completion: 2025
System Supplied: 500 kW / 1035 kWh Containerised Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

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R&A Marine Services (RAMS) is a Papua New Guinea–based specialist in critical infrastructure and services. As part of the Pacific Krarup Partnership under the Economic & Social Infrastructure Program (ESIP), RAMS is delivering battery energy storage systems to medium-scale commercial and industrial facilities such as schools, community centres and regional hubs.

When their original vendor was unable to proceed, RAMS urgently required a proven BESS solution with confirmed ComAp compatibility. The project was already on a tight schedule, and finding a supplier who could meet both the technical requirements and the delivery deadline was proving difficult. Many other vendors were unwilling to provide on-site commissioning in Papua New Guinea, which was a key requirement for RAMS to support local training and ensure sustainable, long-term system operation.

Valen’s willingness to integrate ComAp controls, supply test certification, and travel to Papua New Guinea for commissioning set us apart. Combined with our ability to work within challenging delivery schedules, this made Valen the ideal partner to co-create a solution for this critical project.

Design

Valen collaborated closely with the RAMS engineering and project teams to develop a turnkey containerised BESS that met both technical specifications and deployment constraints. The 20-foot ISO container houses a 500 kW / 1035 kWh battery system with modular architecture, ComAp energy management integration, integrated HVAC, a weatherproof enclosure and remote monitoring capabilities.

From the outset, our consultative process focused on RAMS’ key priorities – rapid deployment, ease of installation, ComAp compatibility and training considerations for local technicians. Regular communication throughout the design phase ensured that any changes had minimal impact on the overall delivery schedule.

Deliver

The original plan was to complete software commissioning at Valen’s Lawson facility following fabrication, before freighting the system to Papua New Guinea. Design refinements during the build meant this timeline had to be adapted. To maintain the project schedule, Valen arranged for the completed unit to be shipped directly from the fabricator to Bougainville Island.

Upon arrival, Valen’s Operations Manager, Project Manager and Software Engineer travelled to site to complete final commissioning and testing. This flexibility allowed RAMS to meet the ESIP delivery deadline without compromising system quality or functionality.

Support

The installation of Vora has provided the Bougainville Island community with a sustainable and reliable energy supply, reducing dependence on costly and environmentally damaging diesel generation. This has lowered fuel costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and delivered a more consistent power supply for critical services.

In Papua New Guinea, blackouts are common and diesel reliance is high. Through the ESIP program, projects like this aim to modernise power distribution and improve reliability for remote communities. The Vora system now provides energy to an entire community, including schools, homes and hospitals, ensuring essential services such as education and healthcare can operate without interruption.

This project directly reflects Valen’s purpose of powering critical infrastructure to keep communities connected, safe and resilient. By partnering with RAMS, Valen has delivered not only a high-performance battery system, but also the foundation for long-term energy security, economic stability and improved quality of life for the people of Bougainville.