The 65MW installation is expected to generate about 94,000 MWh of electricity annually, providing energy for more than 31,000 households. Image: Scatec Solar

Scatec Solar and its partners were busy over the last month, with the company completing a 65MW PV project in Malaysia while starting work on a 117MW installation in Argentina.

The 65MW Gurun solar power plant is now grid connected and reached commercial operation back in December 2018. It is the first of three 65MW PV projects under completion by Scatec Solar in Malaysia.

Raymond Carlsen, CEO of Scatec Solar, said: “Completing our first solar plant in South East Asia together with our partners marks another important milestone for us. We are now realising one of the largest solar energy portfolios in the region with a total of 197MW and we continue to see several interesting opportunities in the South East Asian market.”

The installation is expected to generate about 94,000 MWh of electricity annually, providing energy for more than 31,000 households. The clean energy produced by the Gurun plant will contribute to avoiding about 70,000 tons of carbon emissions per year.

Scatec Solar entered the Malaysian market in December 2016 by signing a partnership with a local ITRAMAS-led group that signed off on three 21-year PPAs with the country's largest electricity utility, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). This partnership led to the development of Scatec Solar’s 197MW pipeline in the country, with a total investment of about US$293 million.

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In Argentina, Scatec Solar and Equinor have started construction on the Guanizuil IIA solar plant, which is located in the Province of San Juan in the northwest of Argentina.

Back in November 2018, both parties signed off on a 20-year PPA with CAMMESA, the Argentinian Wholesale Power Market Administrator, for the delivery of electricity from the power plant.

Carlsen added: “We are pleased to have reached these significant milestones for our first project in Argentina. The project is ramping up activities according to plans with expected commercial operation by year-end 2019.”

Total capital expenditure for the project is estimated at US$103 million, with the installation owned at a 50/50 split between Scatec Solar and Equinor. Once completed, the power plant is expected to produce about 308,000 MWh of electricity annually, providing electricity to 80,000 homes.

Scatec will lead the development of the project, while Equinor will provide a construction bridge loan covering 60% of the capex required for the project.