Enel Green Power (EGP), a subsidiary of Italian power giant Enel, has begun operation of its 158MW Lapa solar park in Bahia, which is currently the largest PV project operating in Brazil.
The US$175 million solar park is composed of the 80MW Bom Jesus da Lapa and the 78MW Lapa plants, generating around 340GWh per year. The plants have a 20-year supply contract with the Brazilian Chamber of Commercialisation of Electric Energy (CCEE).
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The Lapa park projects use trackers and new conversion units, which Enel said speed up construction and commissioning.
The project was awarded to the Enel Group in August 2015 following the “Leilão de Reserva” public tender, together with the 103MW Horizonte and the 292MW Nova Olinda solar projects which are currently under construction.
Carlo Zorzoli, Enel’s country manager in Brazil, said: “The entry into service of Lapa is an important milestone for Enel in Brazil since it is the first solar PV project to become operational this year out of the four PV projects currently under construction by the Group in the country. We were able to complete and commission Lapa more than two months ahead of the deadline set by the rules of the 2015 public tender which awarded us the project, therefore confirming our commitment to contribute to Brazil’s growth in the renewable sector and our leadership in the country’s photovoltaic market. Furthermore, this project will deliver much needed power to the energy thirsty northeast of Brazil that is currently facing a serious drought.”
Enel currently has 170MW of solar installed in Brazil, with 649MW of solar capacity under execution. It is constructing its 254MW Ituverava solar plant also in Bahia.