Brazil awards 834 MW of PV contracts, Enel Green Power secures 553 MW

Brazil has awarded 834 MW of photovoltaic (PV) contracts as part of its second reverse auction for solar power plant projects.

Enel Green Power (EGP) has been awarded the right to sign 20-year energy supply contracts for three projects adding up 553MW:

• 103 MW Horizonte MP solar plant. It will be built in Tabocas do Brejo Velho in the State of Bahia, which is located in Brazil’s north-east. Once up and running, the plant will generate annually about 223 GWh of renewable energy. The plant will be located next to EGP’s Ituverava solar project, meaning that EGP will be able to pool resources both during the construction of Horizonte MP and the operation of the two projects, which will share the same connection infrastructure.
• 158 MW Lapa solar plant. It will be built in Bom Jesus da Lapa in the State of Bahia. Once up and running, the plant will generate about 340 GWh each year.
• 292 MW Nova Olinda solar plant. It will be constructed in Ribeira do Piaui in the State of Piaui. The plant will generate about 604 GWh per year.

EGP will be investing a total of approximately US$600 million in the construction of the three new solar facilities that will be completed and enter operation by 2017.

Canadian Solar has won five solar PV projects totaling 185 MW In Pirapora, in the state in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Canadian Solar will develop and build the solar power plants which, once connected to the grid will sell the electricity generated to a Brazilian government entity, under a 20-year PPA.

The five projects are targeted to reach commercial operation in mid-2017. The company will short list potential equity partners for these projects and believes that it can make adequate developer margins should it decide to sell them.

Other companies that have been awarded PV projects are Spain’s Solatio, SunEdison, which was awarded two projects worth 16 MW in the municipality of Bahia, and Renova.

The first Brazilian solar-only tender saw 31 projects selected for around 834 MW of PV generating capacity. Previously solar had competed against other renewable sources under the country’s renewable energy program and were often out-competed by wind projects on price.