Renewable energy arm of the Enel Group starts work to expand the generation capacity of the solar park in São Gonçalo, in Piauí

In alignment with the good investment moment that the renewable energy sector is experiencing in Brazil, VVVA, the Brazilian renewable energy subsidiary of the Enel Green Power Brasil Participações Group (EGPB), started construction on the 133 MW expansion of the São Gonçalo solar park, located in São Gonçalo do Gurguéia, in the State of Piauí.
The works will increase the plant's total capacity to 608 MW and the Enel Group's investment will be around BRL 422 million in the construction of a new 133 MW section for the park.

Antonio Cammisecra, responsible for the Enel Green Power, spoke about the importance of the works: “We are expanding the São Gonçalo park, which is the largest solar park currently under construction in South America, strengthening our commitment to expand our renewable capacity in Brazil, where we are the main player in solar and wind energy generation in terms of installed capacity and project portfolio”.

“São Gonçalo's production profile will benefit even more from our leadership in innovation, through state-of-the-art technologies. The park will dedicate a significant portion of its production, including the entire production of its expansion, to the free energy market in Brazil, which has become increasingly attractive to investors in renewable energy”, he added.

The construction of the first part of 475 MW began in October 2018 and now, with the expansion works, the São Gonçalo solar park should only come into operation in 2020.

At the São Gonçalo solar park, Enel is using a technological innovation, for the first time in Brazil an Enel photovoltaic plant will use bifacial solar modules, which capture energy from both sides of the panels. The innovation will increase power generation by up to 18%.

Enel's operations in Brazil

In Brazil, the Enel Group has two subsidiaries, EGPB and Enel Brasil, which together have a renewable installed capacity of more than 2,4 GW, of which 782 MW of wind energy, 370 MW of solar photovoltaics and 1.269 MW of hydropower. Regarding new projects, the EGPB has around 1,9 GW in execution in the country.

When the expansion works of the São Gonçalo solar park are concluded, the plant will generate around 360 GWh per year, avoiding the emission of around 207.000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year.

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