Piauí Installs Largest Solar PV Power Plant In Latin America

August 17th, 2017 by Cynthia Shahan

For the past few years, Piauí, Brazil, has focused on generating jobs and generating renewable energy hand in hand. Piaui is captivated by the win-win-win-win of wind and solar power projects. (There are four wins since, aside from jobs and energy, renewables cut air pollution and global warming emissions.) Setting a notable milestone in this realm, Piauí has installed the largest photovoltaic energy project in Latin America.

Ambiente Energia has reported the details of Solar Park Nova Olinda, an Enel Green Power Brazil project. The plant is located in the municipality of Ribeira do Piauí, 377 kilometers from Teresina, in the micro-region of Alto Medio Canindé.

“The State Environmental Secretariat of Piauí (SEMAR) delivered the Environmental Operating Permits for the photovoltaic plant and the 500 KV transmission line from Nova Olinda—São João does Piauí / Ribeira do Piauí, to Alexandre Bittar, Environmental specialist of the company in July.”

Covering an area of ​​690 hectares with a total installed capacity of 290 MW, the fresh installation will generate approximately 600 GWh per year. This power will supply the annual energy consumption needs of around 300,000 Brazilian homes, preventing the emissions that would have gone into the air and atmosphere if that electricity was provided by coal or natural gas power plants.

Image by Jorge Andrade (some rights reserved)

“Semar made an effort to release in a record time, in just three months, the operating licenses of both the park and the transmission line linking this power generation unit to the São João do Piauí substation,” says Semar’s Superintendent of the Environment, Carlos Moura Fé.

“Composed of four specific purpose entities (SPEs) for regulation purposes, the plant includes Enel Green Power Nova Olinda B Solar SA; Enel Green Power Nova Olinda C Solar SA; Enel Green Power New Olinda Sul Solar SA, and Enel Green Power Nova Olinda Norte Solar SA … each SPE is composed of one or two sub-sections of the Nova Olinda Photovoltaic Solar Complex,” Ambiente Energia notes.

“Enel won the solar energy auction of solar energy in August 2015. The investment is in the order of US $300 million. The Solar Park Nova Olinda is in an area with high levels of solar radiation and will contribute significantly to meet the country’s growing energy demand.” Enel has long a leader in this region, so it is not surprising to see it breaking yet another record.

Ambiente Energia adds another valuable note for anyone looking to take advantage of growing competitiveness of solar energy in the country and with a desire to work in this area? It highlights solar PV courses that train people on solar energy project development. If you live in Brazil, perhaps this is an avenue to pursue.

Related Stories:

How Efficient Will Solar PV Be In The Future? 10-Year Predictions For The Industry

191.5 Megawatt Pirapora Solar Project Receives First Ever Solar Financing From Brazilian Development Bank

Enel Begins Construction On Largest Solar Project In The Americas











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