97 MW solar plant in Peru: Grupo JR Ortiz has commissioned a 97 MW solar farm in Peru. Calling it one among the largest solar PV projects in the Latin American country and its 1st PV plant in Peru, the Chilean company said the 97 MW Matarani Solar Farm is located in the Peruvian desert of Mollendo, in the department of Arequipa. It is expected to generate 260 GWh annually. Earlier this year in January 2024, global independent power producer Yinson Renewables announced its acquisition of the Matarani project from Grenergy Renewables.
Argentina scheme to back solar uptake: Argentina’s Secretaría de Energía de la República or the Energy Secretariat has launched a new program to improve energy efficiency in homes and commercial and industrial (C&I) segments. Under this, it will provide loans for the installation of energy efficient technology including solar PV panels and solar water heaters. The Programa de Reconversión y Eficiencia Energética or the Energy Conversion and Efficiency Program has been introduced in collaboration with the Banco de la Nación Argentina (BNA). It entails preferential rates and financing up to 24 interest-free installments for the purchase of selected products at Tienda BNA.
Solar PPA in Brazil: Brazilian energy company Prime Energy has secured a solar energy supply contract with Ambiental Paraná, an Aegea concessionaire that operates in 16 municipalities in Paraná in Brazil. A Shell Group company, Prime will honor this commitment to supply 639 MWh from 2 of its solar PV parks in the Municipality of Nova Esperança-PR for the concessionaire’s operational units to meet around 13% their total energy consumption. Ambiental operates in the space of sewage treatment facilities. For Aegea, this partnership will help it meet its goal of sourcing 98% of energy from renewable sources.
Metlen inaugurates 86 MW solar farm in Chile: Formerly MYTILINEOS Energy & Metals, Greek company Metlen Energy & Metals has inaugurated its 2nd self-owned project in Chile. The 86 MW Doña Antonia Solar Park was built for an investment of $65 million in Coquimbo region. By 2025-end, it will add energy storage batteries for more than 230 MWh/day. The project is part of 4 Metlen projects in Chile representing a total $460 million investment for the group. The 1st solar project of the lot with 109.2 MW capacity was commissioned in December 2023. Remaining 2 solar projects in this portfolio, namely 227 MW Tocopilla in María Elena and 167 MW Tamarico in Vallenar are scheduled to become operational in 2024. All of these are contracted to supply clean electricity to Enel Chile.
187 MW solar plant in Colombia: Spanish renewables company Negratín is constructing a 187 MW solar farm in Colombia, announcing it just days after completing a 100 MW PV project in the country. The 187 MW power station is coming up in the Department of Atlantico. Once it is grid connected at the end of 2025, it will generate 420 GWh annually. With this project, the company said it now has 3 turnkey projects in Colombia, implementing around 400 MW for the country’s grid. Earlier this month, it commissioned the Bosques Solares de Bolívar Photovoltaic Solar Complex in Sabanalarga region of Colombia. Made up of 5 PV plants, it can generate up to 100 MW capacity. It is fitted with over 190,000 bifacial solar panels and 385 inverters.