JinkoSolar is supplying 522 MW solar modules for Rio Alto’s Santa Luzia project, and was also the supplier for 766 MW Vale project, both in Brazil; Solarpack secured IDB Invest and Bancolombia financing for 252 MW PV in Colombia; Torex gets permitting approval for 8.7 MW solar plant in Mexico.
JinkoSolar’s Brazilian solar projects update: JinkoSolar Holding’s principal operating subsidiary Jinko Solar Co. Ltd. has bagged an order for close to 522 MW of Tiger Neo 78 cell modules for phase I of the Santa Luzia Complex Project in Brazil’s Paraiba state. The entire project is made up of 3 phases with only phase I under construction currently with commercial operation date (COD) of January 2024. On completion, it will have a total installed capacity of 1.2 GW. Jinko said it has already shipped initial batches in November 2022 and complete phase I shipment in May 2023. It is developed by Rio Alto Energies Renovaveis.
Another large scale solar plant in Brazil, 766 MW Sol do Cerrado of Vale also uses JinkoSolar’s 182 high efficiency bifacial double glass modules. Vale recently announced its commissioning as one of Latin America’s largest planned solar facilities (see 766 MW Brazilian Solar Farm Starting To Come Online).
Solarpack’s Colombian projects secure financing: Spain headquartered Solarpack has secured COP 656 billion ($133 million) loan from IDB Invest and Bancolombia for 252 MW solar power capacity in Colombia. It will support Solarpack develop 108 MW La Mata Solar Park in the municipality of La Gloria, Cesar, and 144 MW La Union in the municipality of Monteria, Cordoba. Both projects are scheduled to come online by mid-2023, and generate an estimated 440 GWh annually. IDB Invest has mobilized COP 457 billion, comprising COP 93 billion from the United Kingdom Sustainable Infrastructure Program (UKSIP), and COP 85 billion from another international partner, calling it one of the largest solar plant financing packages in the country to date.
Mexico clears 8.7 MW solar plant for miner: Canadian gold miner Torex Gold Resources has received permitting approval for its 8.7 MW solar power plant on its Morelos Property in Mexico. The country’s Secretariat of Environmental and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) gave the clearance. In April 2021, Torex had entered into a commercial lease agreement with Norway’s Scatec to use its Release solution to build the solar power plant at its Morelos Property that includes El Limon Guajes (ELG) mine and Media Luna project. Back then Torex said it was its 1st major foray into renewable energy at its operations. It is estimated to help the company save close to $1 million annually in energy costs over a 20-year lease period, with full payback realized within 7 years of its operation.
