Grenergy inaugurates 241 MW solar plant in Chile; Cuba signs contracts for 2 GW solar; Cemig signs power supply contract for 20 MW in Brazil; Northland Power selling 130 MW PV in Mexico; LONGi signs 160 MW framework agreement in Brazil.
241 MW solar plant in Chile: The Spain-headquartered renewable energy independent power producer (IPP) Grenergy Renovables has announced the commissioning of the 241 MW Gran Teno PV Plant in Chile. It is the company's largest installation to date, globally, equipped with 367,200 solar panels of 655 W and 660 W power rating. The project was inaugurated by Chile's President Gabriel Boric in the Maule region and will supply clean energy to more than 136,000 homes. This takes the company's existing number of plants connected in Chile to over 80. Grenergy is also developing a much larger project in Chile, the Oasis de Atacama facility, with 1 GW solar and 4.1 GWh storage capacity. It will be realized in 5 phases, out of which phase I is expected to be commissioned by 2024-end.
Cuba's RE plans: The Cuban Minister of Energy and Mines Vicente de la O Levy recently shared that the country is getting ready to grid connect 3 new solar parks as Cuba makes efforts towards attaining energy sovereignty. The Cuban energy sector is facing lack of financing, with challenges compounded by the loss of key fuel suppliers and aging thermal power generation infrastructure. He said, "The path outlined for Cuba is to advance with our own resources, move towards sustainability and energy sovereignty with our own crude oil, our gas and renewable energy sources." According to Levy, the country has signed 2 contracts for 2 GW of solar PV capacity along with 100 MW in storage each. The 1st contract for 1 GW is planned to be executed by May 2025 and the other in 2028. Each of these contracts comprises 46 solar parks spread across various provinces. Cuba aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its electricity mix to up to 24% by 2030.
Cemig's solar contract: Brazilian utility Compania Energetica de Minas Gerais SA (Cemig) has bagged a contract to sell some part of the power generated by its 20 MW solar power plant to local wholesaler Mart Minas in Minas Gerais. The latter will use the solar power supply for its 62 stores in Minas Gerais and 19 Dom Aracadista stores (also part of the Mart Minas Group) in Rio de Janeiro. The Jusante Solar Power Park in the municipality of São Gonçalo do Abaeté-MG is expected to cost BRL 377 million. Out of this, BRL 108 million was allocated to the 2 plants leased to Mart Minas and Dom Atacadista. Cemig says this deal concluded in the Free Energy Market will make Mart Minas and Dom Atacadista the 1st supermarket customers to operate with self-produced electricity. Mart Minas Administrative and financial director Matheus Neves expects the solar project to help it reduce its energy costs and lead to significant carbon reduction.
130 MW solar exchanges hand in Mexico: Canadian power producer Northland Power will sell the 130 MW La Lucha Solar Facility in Mexico's Durango to Cometa Energia. The project is wholly owned by Northland and has been operational since June 2023. Cometa is wholly-owned by Saavi Energia. The sale is expected to close in 2024 with the approval of the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE). The proceeds will help Northland repay loans and for general corporate purposes. It reflects Northland's strategy to recycle assets from non-core markets to generate liquidity and simplify its overall business in core markets, said Northland President and CEO Mike Crawley.
LONGi modules for Brazil: Chinese module manufacturer LONGi has signed a 160 MW supply framework agreement with solar energy products distributor Dynamis for the Brazilian market. The agreement was signed at the ATP Tour Chile Open event in Chile. LONGi said the agreement marks a significant advancement for its business in South America and all of Americas.