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531 MW Solar Plant in Mendubim, RN, Will Sell 60% of Its Energy to Alunorte; In Joint Venture, Installed Capacity Will Meet Demand for Renewable Energy.
The Mendubim solar plant, located in Rio Grande do Norte, began operations by Equinor on Friday (3/8). With an installed capacity of 531 MW, Mendubim is the sixth largest solar plant in Brazil. Check out the ranking of the 10 largest solar plants in Brazil. The Mendubim photovoltaic solar plant will be responsible for producing 1.2 TWh of electricity annually, with 60% of its production already sold under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to Alunorte, from Norsk Hydro, in Pará. The remaining energy will be sold in the free market. (Source: en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br)
Mendubim Solar Plant: A Successful Joint Venture
The photovoltaic project is developed and operated in partnership between Scatec, Hydro Rein, and Equinor, which have equal participation of 30% in the solar plant. Alunorte exercised its purchase option and now holds the remaining 10%.
Investment and Installed Capacity
The total investment is estimated at US$ 430 million (around R$ 2 billion).
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Brazilian scientists are simultaneously advancing two research projects on clean hydrogen and driving solutions that could transform the energy matrix, enhance industrial competitiveness, and accelerate large-scale emission reduction targets.
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Advancement in renewable energy: A R$ 150 million project launched by Petrobras and Finep aims to create state-of-the-art electrolyzers for green hydrogen, strengthening national research and preparing Brazil to compete in a billion-dollar energy market.
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Solar energy can increase property value by up to 10% and become a selling point.
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Illiterate or semi-literate grandmothers were trained to repair solar systems, open rural workshops, and light up homes that still depended on kerosene.
Expansion of the Renewable Energy Portfolio
Mendubim represents a 30% increase in Equinor’s renewable energy portfolio, being the second large-scale solar project for the company in Brazil. The Norwegian company also holds a 44% stake in the Apodi solar plant (162 MW), which began operations in 2018 in Ceará, and 100% of the Serra da Babilônia 1 wind plant, with 223 MW, in Bahia.
Growth and Ambitions in Renewable Energies
It is part of Equinor’s ambitions to accelerate growth in renewable energy and position itself as an energy producer. Last year, the Norwegian company approved the amendment of its statute to replace oil with energy as its main activity.
Mendubim represents an important contribution to Equinor’s diversified energy supply in Brazil, which includes a robust portfolio of oil and gas and an attractive position in renewables,” said Veronica Coelho, president of Equinor in Brazil.
Driving Growth and Meeting Energy Demand
‘Launching a large new solar plant in Brazil in partnership with Scatec and Hydro Rein is an important achievement. Equinor has been operating in Brazil for over two decades, and we see the country as a core area for profitable long-term growth. By investing in renewable energy, we are supporting Brazil’s ambitions toward a diversified energy mix and helping to meet the expected growth in energy demand in the country.’
Expansion and Future Projects
Equinor’s total renewable energy generation in 2023 was approximately 2 TWh, with the prospect of doubling in 2024. There is also a pipeline of over 1.5 GW of solar and wind projects on land being developed by Equinor’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Rio Energy.
Source: EPBR
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