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Vale do Rio Doce Completes Works on the Largest Solar Plant in the Region, Boosting Clean Energy and Creating Jobs with an Investment of R$ 17 Million in Minas Gerais.
The arrival of the Vale do Aço I Photovoltaic Plant, in Engenheiro Caldas, in the heart of the Vale do Rio Doce, marks a new chapter in the production of renewable energy in the state of Minas Gerais. With a capacity to generate 5 million kWh, the project will be the largest solar photovoltaic plant in the region, producing about 40% of the energy generated by the largest plant in the state, the Advogado Eduardo Soares, in Montes Claros.
The project, which received an investment of R$ 17 million, already has a start date for operations: July 5. This initiative reinforces Minas Gerais as a protagonist in the clean energy sector, aligned with environmental goals and sustainable economic development.
Investment in the Largest Solar Plant in the Region and Job Creation Strengthen the Local Economy in the Vale do Rio Doce
The investment of R$ 17 million was made possible with R$ 12 million financed by the Development Bank of Minas Gerais (BDMG) and the remainder from the partner companies Multiluz Solar, Quare Organizações, and Solar Vale.
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During the construction and installation phases of the plant, 50 direct and indirect jobs were created, contributing to the development of the local community in the Vale do Rio Doce.
“The project in Engenheiro Caldas shows that we are on the right track. This year, we reached the milestone of 12 gigawatts of monitored capacity, and the state is increasingly growing in clean energy generation,” highlights Governor Romeu Zema, emphasizing the strategic importance of the investment for Minas Gerais.
Shared Energy
The plant operates in a shared generation system, where the produced energy is distributed among a consortium formed by companies and residential clients, who receive credits on their electricity bills proportional to their participation shares.
This modality favors access to renewable energy and allows beneficiaries to reduce their electricity costs without the need for direct investment in infrastructure.
“Multiluz is responsible for the entire operation of the plant, maintenance, technical management of the consortium, and liaison with the distributor, ensuring the efficiency of the process and compliance with regulatory standards,” explains Fábio Araújo Soares Ferreira, CEO of Multiluz Solar.
Positive Environmental Impact and Reversibility of Land Use Reinforce Sustainability
The estimated production of the plant will avoid the emission of about 12.9 million tons of CO₂ over a period of 20 years, significantly contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases in the state.
One of the great differentiators of the project is its sustainable operation: the installation of solar panels does not require extensive deforestation and does not consume water resources, a crucial aspect for environmental preservation.
Furthermore, the reversibility of land use is guaranteed, as, after the end of the plant’s useful life, usually between 25 and 30 years, the area can be recovered or reused without deep changes to the terrain.
“Another important differentiator is the reversibility of land use: at the end of the plant’s useful life, usually between 25 and 30 years, the area used can be easily recovered or reused, as it does not undergo deep or irreversible changes,” emphasizes the CEO of Multiluz.
Minas Gerais Leads Solar Generation in Brazil and Expands Investments
Minas Gerais recently reached the mark of 12 gigawatts of monitored power, establishing itself as a leader in solar energy production in Brazil.
This advancement is the result of the actions of the Government of Minas, such as the Sol de Minas program, which since 2019 has attracted over R$ 81 billion in private investments in the sector, as well as generating about 6,900 direct jobs in 37 municipalities.
In the Vale do Rio Doce, the expansion of solar energy is visible: the region already has more than 41,000 distributed generating units and three centralized plants located in Caratinga and Ipatinga.
Recently, BDMG announced a new partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to release about R$ 170 million in credits to promote 22 new solar energy projects in municipalities in Minas Gerais, including areas near the Vale do Rio Doce.
Future Opportunities and Reinforcing Regional Prominence
The implementation of the largest solar plant in the Vale do Rio Doce reflects not only technological evolution but also a commitment to a green economy and sustainable job creation.
According to the Secretary of State for Economic Development, Mila Corrêa da Costa, “the installation of this new plant in the Vale do Rio Doce highlights that, after the incentives from the Government of Minas, Minas Gerais has become more attractive for new ventures in the sector, which generate investments, green jobs, and strengthen the state’s prominence in the solar energy segment.”
The president of BDMG, Gabriel Viégas Neto, reinforces this vision: “I had the opportunity to be at the new plant in Engenheiro Caldas and see how ventures of this size and segment generate positive impacts for the surrounding community. Just like in Vale do Aço, we finance projects throughout the state.”
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