Latin America PV News Snippets

Cerro Dominador expanding solar project's capacity to 600 MW in Chile; Voltalia's 320 MW Brazilian solar project commissioned; Argentina has awarded Multiradio the contract to set up solar projects for 60 buildings under PERMER program.

110 MW solar thermal makes way for 500 MW PV in Chile: Cerro Dominador will expand its Pampa Union Solar Power Plant to a total of 600 MW solar PV capacity in Chile. Initially termed Atacama 2 Solar Power Plant, the project was designed to incorporate 110 MW concentrated solar power and 100 MW solar PV capacity. Now, Cerro Dominador has secured environmental clearance to replace the CSP component with 500 MW which expands the PV component to a total of 600 MW. The project will be located in Sierra Gorda of Antofagasta region. Power generated will be sent to the National Grid (SEN). Project company Cerro Dominador is owned by funds managed by EIG Global Energy Partners.

Voltalia energizes 320 MW solar in Brazil: French energy company Voltalia has announced commissioning of SSM1&2 facilities with a combined capacity of 320 MW, its largest project to date. It is located in Brazil's Serra Branca cluster in Rio Grande do Norte, which is a 2.4 GW wind and solar complex the company is working on. Currently SSM1&2 project has started generating power from 18 MW capacity. Full capacity of 320 MW is expected to be reached by June 30, 2022. The 320 MW capacity is backed by 5 long-term power sales contracts with an average duration of 16 years, including Braskem and Copel.

Argentina awards solar capacity under PERMER auction: Argentina's National Energy Secretariat has awarded solar installations for 60 buildings in rural areas under the Renewable Energies in Rural Markets Project (PERMER) program. It will ensure uninterrupted solar power supply to 11 National Parks and a border post. Specifically, the National Parks that will benefit from this technology are: Nahuel Huapi, Lanín, Laguna Blanca and Arrayanes, in the Province of Neuquén; Quebrada del Condorito and Traslasierra, in Córdoba; Pre Delta and El Palmar, in Entre Ríos; Aconquija, in Tucumán; Talampaya, in La Rioja; and Isla de Santa Fe. These projects will benefit 4,941 people who work in these establishments.  A company called Multiradio SA will set up all the projects for $2.5 million.