Latin America PV Snippets: Argentina, Innergex, Norsk Solar

• Argentina's Secretariat of Energy has launched a tender to deploy renewable energy mini grids in rural regions
• Innergex Renewable Energy has got into an agreement to fully acquire Energia Llaima of Chile
• Norsk Solar will develop 37 MW solar power capacity in Brazil for Origo Energia as the offtaker

Argentina tender for rural RE plants: Argentina's Secretariat of Energy of the Nation has called for bids to set up 4 renewable energy generation plants for rural towns of Laguna Blanca, Aguada Guzmán and Colán Conhué, in the province of Río Negro, and El Peñón, in Catamarca. Launched through its Renewable Energy Project in Rural Markets (PERMER), the mini grids are expected to guarantee uninterrupted supply of electricity for the inhabitants of rural region that live far from distribution networks. It should eventually go on to support the inhabitants in their daily life and socio-economic development in these regions.

The Laguna Blanca project involves expansion of existing hybrid PV, wind, thermal generation plant to provide electricity to 40 rural homes and 6 public buildings.

Aguada Guzman project will see the expanded mini hybrid network to benefit 54 homes and 5 public buildings. A solar power plant in Colán Conhué will supply electricity to 56 homes. In Catamarca, a solar PV and thermal power plant will be repowered in the town of El Penon to benefit 40 families. Last date to submit bids is July 30, 2021. Tender details can be found on the government website.

Innergex takes over Chile's Energia Llaima: Canadian renewable energy company Innergex Renewable Energy has entered into a stock purchase agreement with Energia Laima SpA of Chile to acquire the remaining 50% stake in the latter for CAN $88.36 million. Innergex already owns a 50% stake in the company. Energia Llaima mainly operates in the hydropower domain while also operating Salvador Solar Farm for Innergex. "Three years ago, we entered the Latin American market through a joint venture with Energía Llaima, and we have since gained a solid understanding of the market and operations. Innergex is now ready to pursue its growth on its own in the Chilean and larger Latin America market," said President and CEO of Innergex Michel Letellier.

Norsk Solar to develop 37 MW solar in Brazil: Norway's Norsk Solar will develop 37 MW solar power capacity in Brazil with its local partner GDSolar and sell the green energy generated to distributed generation power supplier Origo Energia for 25 years. Norsk Solar will finance, build, own and operate the 12 projects that combined present 37 MW capacity for NOK 250 million. All the projects will be located in the state of Minas Gerais. The Norwegian company's CEO Oyvind L. Vesterdal said these are the 1^st projects out of a fast-growing project pipeline that exceeds its initial ambitions.