This week Enel Group started operations at two new solar plants: Ituverava and Nova Olinda. Together, the two are capable of generating 1,150 GWh of clean energy a year, which makes the new Enel Green Power projects the largest solar plants in operation in South America.
“The start of operations at Nova Olinda and Ituverava is an important landmark for our presence in Brazil as it confirms our leadership in the country’s photovoltaic market, as well as our commitment and capacity to deliver our projects quickly and efficiently”
The Ituverava Plant is located in the town of Tabocas do Brejo Velho, in the northeast of Bahia, and covers an area of 579 hectares. The plant comprises around 850,000 solar panels, which, in full operation, will be capable of producing over 550 GWh annually, enough energy to supply approximately 268,000 homes.
The Nova Olinda figures are even more impressive! At the plant, located in Ribeira do Piauí, in the semi-arid region of the state of Piauí, 930,000 solar panels are distributed around an area of 690 hectares. Nova Olinda will be able to produce 600 GWh of energy a year when in full operation, enough to fulfil the consumption needs of 300,000 homes.
“With our projects and expertise, we are forwarding the development of the photovoltaic sector in Brazil, with the goal of strengthening even more the role solar power has in diversifying the country’s energy generation mix and fulfilling the growing energy demands”
The construction of the two plants required investment of around US$700,000. Every year, the Ituverava and Nova Olinda plants will prevent the emission of about 668,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Focus also on social sustainability
Aligned with the Creating Shared Value (CSV) model adopted by Enel Group, which aims to combine business development with the needs of local communities, Enel Green Power organised several social initiatives in the surroundings of the plants. The recycling and construction wood residue reutilisation workshops provided residents with a new possibility for income generation.
In Brazil, Enel Group, through its subsidiaries Enel Green Power Brasil and Enel Brasil, has total renewable installed capacity of around 2,276 MW, of which 670 MW in wind power, 716 MW of solar energy and 890 MW of hydroelectric power, as well as around 275 MW of capacity currently under construction – 172 MW wind and 103 MW solar.
Enel Green Power, the Renewable Energy division of Enel Group, is dedicated to developing and operating renewable energies around the world, with a presence in Europe, Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Enel Green Power is a global leader in the green energy sector, with managed capacity of around 39 GW and a generation mix that includes wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and hydroelectric power, and it as at the forefront of the integration of innovative technologies such as storage systems within renewable energy plants.