Enel Green Power has brought online the over 86MW El Paso solar farm in Colombia, the company’s first photovoltaic plant in the South American country.
The 86.2MW project, which is located in the Cesar region of northern Colombia, accounts for 80% of the country’s total installed solar capacity.
El Paso will produce around 176 gigawatt-hours of electricity each a year and is Colombia’s first renewable plant with centralised energy dispatch.
This means the project has a daily commitment to deliver power to the grid, like any other large-scale conventional power plant.
Enel invested $70m in the development, which covers about 210 hectares and is composed of around 250,000 solar panels.
Enel Green Power head in South America Antonio Scala said: “Enel Green Power’s first solar PV plant in Colombia represents a major milestone for the group and for the country’s energy sector as a whole.
“This country represents an ideal market for green energy projects, as it boasts strong winds and high solar irradiation levels, in addition to its already advanced hydro sector.
“By building El Paso solar and working towards a diversified portfolio of renewable projects throughout Colombia, we are strengthening our commitment to the country’s energy transition and sustainable development while further expanding our sizeable renewable footprint in South America.”
Colombian Minister of Mines and Energy Maria Fernanda Suarez said: “We are making a reality Colombia’s dream to diversify, complement and improve the competitiveness of our energy mix, with alternative sources such as the sun and wind.
“The Caribbean coast, in particular, represents a unique opportunity thanks to the potential in solar and wind power that will boost Colombia’s energy transformation.
“The El Paso solar plant will contribute to the development of an efficient, reliable and sustainable energy system.
“In addition, projects like this represent new opportunities for employment, investment and development for the country and its regions.”