The State of Piauí continues to invest heavily in the construction of photovoltaic plants with the aim of increasing the generation of clean energy in its energy matrix. After starting the operation of two solar complexes in the municipalities of São Gonçalo do Gurguéia and São João do Piauí, between 2020 and 2021, the region is waiting to start construction of new works granted.
The state will build, in Caldeirão Grande, a new solar energy complex, named Solar Caldeirão Grande 2. The project, with a capacity of 613 MW, is scheduled to begin construction in November of this year, with an estimated investment of R$2,5 billion.
The project is expected to be completed in 2024 and will be responsible for generating approximately 3,6 direct and indirect jobs over three years. The region is also awaiting the implementation of a new 400 to 500 MW solar power plant, which is expected to start operating by January 2025.
The plant will be located between the municipalities of Buriti dos Lopes and Bom Princípio do Piauí, in the north of the state. In total, around R$1,5 billion will be invested and construction is expected to involve the hiring of 1,1 local workers.
Since 2016, Piauí has been advancing with regard to solar energy production, generating jobs, income and more development in the locality. The state is home, for example, to one of the largest operating plants in Latin America, the Nova Olinda Solar Park, in the municipality of Ribeira do Piauí.
With almost one million photovoltaic panels installed on 690 hectares, the complex has the capacity to produce 600 GWh per year and the electrical capacity to supply more than 300 families. All energy produced in the park is transmitted from the company's own substation to the Chesf substation in São João do Piauí, where it is supplied to the national electrical distribution system.
Renewable Atlas
In addition to investments in plants, the Government of Piauí announced, at the beginning of this month, that it is working on creating an Atlas with information regarding solar energy in the State, aiming to attract investments for projects already installed or in progress.
The idea is to provide data on solar radiation and its potential, so that it is possible to map the potential of the photovoltaic source and plan the construction of new plants in the region. In addition to being physical, the document should also receive a digital version. The State Government's project should be ready in the first half of 2022 and has the support of Seminper (Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Renewable Energy), in collaboration with Fadex (Cultural Foundation and Promotion of Research, Education, Extension and Innovation).
