MPC Caribbean to acquire PV capacity in Dominican Republic: Caribbean based investment company MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Ltd has signed an acquisition agreement as part of a consortium to acquire 33.4 MW Monte Plata Solar Park in the Dominican Republic from Taiwanese solar module company and system integrator United Renewable Energy Co. Ltd. Other members of the consortium include ANSA McAI and 2 minority investors from the Dominican Republic and Canada. Operational since 2016, it was the country's 1st utility scale power station and also the largest of its kind during commissioning. Its capacity is to be expanded to 74 MW by 2022 when it will generate around 115,000 MWh annually. The transaction is expected to be closed in Q3/2021.
Hybrid solar and wind project gets part funding in Brazil: The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) in Brazil has approved BRL 189.9 million for the country's 1st hybrid solar and wind power plant, which will go towards funding the construction of the solar part of the project with 68 MW. It will be located next to 205.8 MW Ventos do Piaui I Wind Park to share the existing transmission substation by Sol do Piaui Geracao de Energia Ltda in the Brazilian municipality of Curral Novo as a pilot project, according to BNDES. Sol do Piauí Geração de Energia Ltda. is controlled by VTRM Energia e Participações SA, a joint venture between Votorantim Geração de Energia SA and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board who announced the project in May 2021 (see Latin America PV News Snippets: Votorantim, Nextracker, BMR).
Elecnor bags 359 MW contract in Brazil: Atlas Renewable Energy has contracted Spain's Elecnor to provide EPC services for 359 MW installed capacity to be located in Pirapora city of Brazil in Minas Gerais. The Lar do Sol-Casablanca Solar Complex will be financed by BID Invest and DNB banks and use 676,000 bifacial solar modules. Elecnor has started work on the project where it will also be responsible for engineering, supply, services and start-up of the solar farm and the step-up substation, the power transmission line and the incoming line in a substation that already exists.