Grenergy’s solar acquisition to expand storage project: Spanish renewables group Grenergy Renovables is expanding its Oasis de Atacama Project in Chile which is the world’s ‘largest’ battery project at 4.1 GWh capacity, with 2 new phases. It will invest $128 million to acquire 100% of 1 GW solar including a 1 GW energized line from Repsol and Ibereólica. This will expand the storage project’s capacity to 11 GWh and double its solar PV generation capacity from 1 GW to 2 GW. The operation comprises a 77 MW solar project and 923 MW of PV projects currently in various stages of development. The project also has a 1 GW interconnection line built and energized to facilitate the connection process for the projects under development. Phase I of the Oasis de Atacama project is expected to be connected by the end of 2024, while the remaining phases will be connected between 2025 and 2026. All energy from the initial 4 phases will be sold. BYD is supplying the large-scale storage systems for the project.
The Oasis de Atacama project is expected to produce around 5.5 TWh of energy annually which will be transferred to non-solar hours. This is equivalent to the annual consumption of a city like Madrid. Grenergy’s Executive Chairman David Ruiz de Andrés said, “Battery investments are going to multiply globally, and this project will allow us to be a benchmark in the sector.”
ArcelorMittal invests in solar: Steel behemoth ArcelorMittal is investing in 465 MW new solar PV capacity in Brazil to secure and decarbonize its future electricity needs as it aims to become self-sufficient in its electricity requirements. One of the projects is a 200 MW PV plant on the same site in Bahia as the 554 MW wind power project of Casa dos Ventos. ArcelorMittal has signed a joint venture (JV) with the company for this wind power plant in 2023. The duo will develop the solar power plant also as a JV. The other solar project with 265 MW capacity will also be a 50:50 partnership between ArcelorMittal and Atlas Renewable Energy in Minas Gerais. Both solar power plants are targeted to come online before the end of 2025.
226.2 MW new PV projects in Brazil: The National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) in Brazil has authorized 8 new energy generation projects in 3 states to start commercial operations. These include 6 PV projects with a combined 226.2 MW capacity, a wind project with 4.2 MW and a thermoelectric plant with 7 MW capacity. This 237.42 MW capacity will expand the country’s renewable energy capacity in the electricity mix.
Sudene backs solar in Brazil: The Superintendence for the Development of the Northeast (Sudene) in Brazil has approved BRL 149.62 million ($27.5 million) for the development of Monte Verde Solar VI and V SA solar PV plants to be funded from the Northeast Development Fund (FDNE). These projects with 49.68 MW and 48.36 MW capacities will come up in Pedro Avelino and Jandaira and are owned by EDP Renováveis Brasil. The total investment in these projects is estimated to be BRL 457.27 million ($84.08 million), with Sudene contributing BRL 205.52 million ($38 million). In August 2024, Sudene had approved BRL 267.2 million from the same fund for the development of 4 PV facilities (see Latin America PV News Snippets: Wood Mackenzie’s Elissa Pierce At RE+ PV Conference & More).
Yinson’s 97 MW project online: A subsidiary of Yinson Holdings Berhad, global independent power producer (IPP), Yinson Renewables has announced the full operational phase of its 97 MW solar power plant in Peru. The Arequipa-located project is Yinson’s 1st operational project in Peru, which the company claims positions it as the country’s 2nd largest solar generator. The 97 MW Matarani Solar Plant is contracted under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Peru’s leading renewable energy generator Orygen, backed by global sustainable infrastructure investment fund Actis. Yinson acquired the project earlier this year in January 2024 from Grenergy Renewables. Its commissioning started in August 2024 as announced by Grupo JR Ortiz (see Latin America PV News Snippets: Chilean Company Commissions 97 MW Solar Plant In Peru & More).