Belize bags SFD loan for 60 MW solar plant; Cox Energy wins 38.4 MW solar capacity in Guatemala auction; Atlas Renewable Energy and ISAGEN partner for 1 GW renewable energy in Colombia; Honduras President inaugurates solar microgrid.
60 MW solar plant in Belize: Latin American nation of Belize has secured a $77 million development loan from Saudi Arabian government's Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) to build a 60 MW solar power plant. According to SFD CEO Sultan Al-Marshad, it will help Belize bring down emissions from the energy sector while promoting sustainability and reliability of the grid. The project will also generate clean energy jobs and improve access to electricity in rural communities. While signing the agreement, Prime Minister of Belize John Briceño said the country finds it necessary to expand its energy output because of a growing economy. SFD states that the agreement is part of its efforts to support sustainable development in developing countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Cox bags 38.4 MW in Guatemala: Spain's Cox Energy has won a 38.4 MW solar energy contract in Guatemala's open bidding Generation Expansion Plan or PEG 4-2022 held by the Comisión Nacional de Energía Eléctrica (CNEE) under reverse auction. The 235 MW tender was oversubscribed with bids coming in for a total of 1.5 GW (see Latin America PV News Snippets). Cox Energy has secured the contract with distributors Empresa Eléctrica de Guatemala, S.A. (EEGS), Distribuidora de Electricidad de Oriente, S.A. (DEORSA), and Distribuidora de Electricidad de Occidente, S.A. (DEOCSA) for a period of 15 years, translating into 106 GWh/year. The $32 million project is likely to come online in 2028.
1 GW solar in Colombia: Atlas Renewable Energy will build a 1 GW renewable energy platform in Colombia in a joint alliance with local utility ISAGEN. It is planned to be developed over the next few years. Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) backed wind and solar power projects developer Atlas says the partnership will help materialize its expansion plan in the country. The company currently has a 4.4 GW contracted projects portfolio in Latin America.
Solar microgrid in Honduras: The President of Honduras, Xiomara Castro recently inaugurated a hybrid microgrid comprising 400 kW solar and 420 kW energy storage system in Gracias a Dios department. According to local media reports, more than 14,000 locals will be able to secure power from the project located in the Municipality of Brus Laguna where more than 40% homes do not have access to electricity. Built at a cost of HNL 115.7 million ($4.7 million), the project is partly financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the federal government. The project was implemented under the Rural Electrification Program in Isolated Places (PERLA), by the National Electric Power Company (ENEE).