Enel Green Power, the renewable energy arm of the Italian group Enel, started operations at the largest solar plant in South America in Piauí

Enel Green Power started operating the largest solar plant in South America, located in São Gonçalo do Gurguéia, in the south of Piauí. The information was disclosed by the company itself on Monday, 13. In August last year, Enel announced the start of construction on the 133 MW expansion of the São Gonçalo solar park, in which Enel is investing around R$422 million.

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The company points out that the connection of the plant to the grid took place one year before the deadline defined by the rules of the 4 A-2017 public auction, organized by the Federal Government through the regulatory agency of the electricity sector (ANEEL).

According to the company, the construction of the 475 MW section of the solar plant involved an investment of BRL 1,4 billion, equivalent to approximately USD 390 million.

“Putting our largest solar plant in Brazil into operation so early is a major milestone for our operations in the country,” said Antonio Cammisecra, head of the Enel Green Power.

São Gonçalo is the first Enel plant in Brazil to use bifacial solar modules, which capture energy from both sides of the panels, with an expected increase of up to 18% in power generation.

When fully operational, the 475 MW section of the plant will be capable of generating more than 1.200 GWh per year, avoiding the emission of more than 600.000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.

According to Enel, of the 475 MW of installed capacity, 265 MW are supported by 20-year energy supply contracts for a pool of distribution companies operating in the country's regulated market. The remaining 210 MW will generate energy for the free market.

The expansion, which increases the total capacity of São Gonçalo to 608 MW, is expected to start operations in 2020. When fully operational, the entire plant (608 MW) will be capable of generating more than 1.500 GWh annually, avoiding the emission of more 860.000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year.