Anglo American inks US$190m deal with Atlas for Brazilian PV

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Anglo American’s Minas-Rio iron ore operation in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, is one of the largest mines in the world. Source: Anglo American.

Atlas Renewable Energy has signed an BRL881 million (US$190 million), 15-year solar power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Brazilian arm of mining giant Anglo American.

The deal will support the development of a 330MW PV plant in Pirapora Municipality in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The 613GWh-per-year deal – which is set to start in 2022 – is the “largest bilateral large-scale solar energy purchase and sale contract in Brazil to date,” according to a joint press release published on Tuesday.

Construction of the Casablanca solar plant will start in the second half of 2020 and last less than a year, according to an Atlas Renewable Energy spokesperson.

The plant will comprise 880,000 bifacial modules from an unspecified supplier.

Once the solar plant and another, separately brokered wind project in Brazil come online, Anglo American will source 90% of its energy for its Brazil operations from renewables, according to the press release. The miner wants to increase that number to 100% within the next two years.

Miami-headquartered Atlas Renewable Energy is owned by British investment fund Actis and works in Chile, Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay. It has four operational projects in Brazil: the 156MW Juazeiro and 67.1MW São Pedro plants in Bahia; the 81MW Sol do Futuro facility in Cearà; and the 112MW Sertão Solar plant in Barreiras.

An Atlas Renewable Energy spokesperson said the power would be supplied to Anglo American’s “iron and nickel mining facilities” but did not divulge specifics.

Anglo American’s Minas-Rio iron ore operation in Minas Gerais is one of the largest mines in the world and is set to become even bigger, having won approval to boost production in December. The company also owns a nickel mine in the state of Goiás, which neighbours Minas Gerais.

The mining company – the world’s fifth-largest – is the latest in a number of mining giants switching to renewables as ‘net zero emissions’ plans proliferate.

Rio Tinto recently revealed that is developing a 34MW solar plant backed by 12MWh of storage at an iron ore mine in Western Australia, and has pledged to invest in wind and solar projects over the next five years. In October, BHP Billiton signed four renewable energy contracts for its Escondida copper mine in Chile – shouldering US$780 million of costs associated with extricating itself from coal contracts.

Teck Resources, Rio Tinto, Vale and BHP Billiton have all committed to ‘net-zero’ emissions by 2050.

The prospects and challenges of Latin American solar and storage will take centre stage at Solar Media's Energy Storage Latin America, to be held in Colombia on 28-29 April 2020.

Read Next

September 2, 2025
Scatec has signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with BTG Pactual Comercializadora de Energia to develop a 130MW solar project in Colombia.
September 2, 2025
Spanish independent power producer (IPP) Grenergy has sold the fourth phase of its flagship solar-plus-storage project in Chile, Oasis de Atacama.
August 28, 2025
Latin America has the potential to unlock billions in clean energy investment if it aligns national policies with global sustainability goals and investor expectations.
August 19, 2025
Indian renewable energy company SAEL Industries has signed two 880MW power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the Indian states of Gujarat and Punjab.
Premium
August 14, 2025
JP Casey investigates efforts currently being made to standardise the offtake agreement for the renewable power sector.
August 13, 2025
Madrid-headquartered renewables developer Elawan has signed a 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to support a 150MW solar PV portfolio in northern Spain.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines