Enel Green Power Brasil has started commercial operations at a 133MW expansion of the Sao Goncalo solar photovoltaic plant which will total 864MW when fully operational later this year.
Construction of the first section, comprising 475MW, began in October 2018, connecting to the grid in January 2020.
In August 2019, Enel announced the start of construction of the 133MW extension of the Sao Goncalo solar park.
A further 256MW expansion, which entered construction in 2020, is expected to enter operation in 2021.
The entire 864MW solar park will include more than 2.2 million solar panels.
The total project is the largest PV plant in South America and is located in Sao Goncalo do Gurgueia, north east of Piaui, Brazil.
The construction of the 133MW section involved an investment of approximately €100m.
Enel Green Power CEO Salvatore Bernabei said: “The entry into operation of the first expansion of the innovative solar park in Sao Goncalo represents an important step forward for Enel in Brazil, strengthening our leadership position in the market of the country’s solar power generation.
“Despite the difficulties of the current scenario, we recently started construction of 1.3GW of renewable capacity in Brazil, which includes a new 256MW section of the Sao Goncalo solar park.
“We therefore confirm a commitment to further contribute to the country’s growing electricity sector and to lead the green recovery in Brazil, just as we are doing it worldwide.”