Photo of solar project courtesy Equinor
Norwegian energy companies Equinor and Scatec Solar announced this week that they had completed the 162 megawatt (MW) Apodi Solar plant in Brazil, the former’s first step into the solar industry.
The 162 MW Apodi Solar plant located in the Brazilian state of Ceará and was awarded in the auction process held by ANEEL, the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency, in November 2015. The project signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with CCEE, the Brazilian Power Commercialization Chamber, and is expected to deliver approximately 340,000 MW-hours (MWh) of electricity annually — enough to provide the equivalent of over 170,000 households and reduce CO2 emissions of around 200,000 tonnes per year.
The project was developed jointly by Scatec Solar and Equinor following an agreement made in October of 2017. The Joint Venture between the two companies built the project, and will own and operate it moving forward, as well as being responsible for maintenance and asset management.
“We have successfully realized our first solar power plant in Brazil and yet again confirming our strong track record as an independent solar power producer,” crowed Raymond Carlsen, CEO of Scatec Solar. “We see significant potential for further growth in Brazil and other parts of Latin America, and we will soon start construction of a new 117 MW solar plant in Argentina in partnership with Equinor.”
“This is a strategic milestone for Equinor. Apodi was our first step into the solar industry,” added Pål Eitrheim, EVP of New Energy Solutions in Equinor. “With the plant now in operations and through our excellent collaboration with Scatec Solar, we are complementing Equinor’s portfolio with profitable solar energy. Apodi adds to our portfolio in Brazil, a core area for the company. This also shows that we are well underway on our journey to become a broad energy company turning natural resources into energy for people and progress for society.”
Scatec Solar is also looking to continue developing solar projects in both Brazil and South America. “We see significant potential for further growth in Brazil and other parts of Latin America, and we will soon start construction of a new 117 MW solar plant in Argentina in partnership with Equinor,” explained Raymond Carlsen.
