BNDES announced that it will finance the implementation of 14 photovoltaic plants in the Janaúba Complex, located in the north of Minas Gerais – considered one of the largest solar sources under construction in Latin America.
The financing for the 14 SPE (Specific Purpose Companies) created for this project will be R$1,47 billion. According to the bank, this amount is equivalent to 72% of the total investment, of R$ 2,04 billion, and will occur directly, within the scope of BNDES Finem.
“The support for the Janaúba photovoltaic complex demonstrates BNDES’ commitment to programs that increase the participation of renewable sources in the Brazilian energy matrix. In addition to generating jobs and income in the surrounding area, the project combines the preservation of the environment with the country's development”, explained Petrônio Cançado, director of Credit and Guarantee at BNDES.
Read more: Banks expand credit lines to finance renewable projects
The contributions to these 14 plants involve the acquisition of photovoltaic modules, trackers and inverters, as well as works to build the substation and the installation of connection lines for integration into the SIN (National Interconnected System).
Companies sign self-production contract
Brazilian company LIASA, a global producer of silicon metal, and Canadian company Elera Renováveis have signed an agreement to build two of the 20 parks planned for the Janaúba Complex. According to the companies, there will be two SPEs with a total installed capacity of 120 MWp. The contract, signed under a self-production regime, will last 20 years.
In total, the companies are expected to invest R$300 million in the works. The commercial operation of the first phase of the project is scheduled for the second half of 2022. The Janaúba Complex, considered one of the largest solar power plants under construction in Latin America, has 1,2 GWp, of which 1 GWp has already been negotiated on the free market.
It was acquired in 2020 by Elera Renováveis, for R$ 3 billion. Furthermore, it occupies an area of 3 thousand hectares where 525 professionals already work, with an estimated creation of more than a thousand jobs.
More projects
The Canadian company also sealed an agreement with the multinational Reivax to supply the PPC (Power Plant Controller) system for controlling photovoltaic solar plants in the Alex park, under construction in Limoeiro do Norte (CE). The complex will have 278 MW of power and is expected to begin operating in 2022.
“The achievement of this partnership certainly represents a milestone for Reivax, because the company has just launched an exclusive control solution for the renewables market. This demonstrates the trust and security that Elera has in our technology”, said Fernando Amorim da Silveira, CEO of Reivax.
