Zelestra has started construction of the 242MWdc Babilonia solar plant in Arequipa, Peru.
The company said the project is enabled by a long-term power purchase agreement with Celepsa, a Grupo Unacem company.
It added that Babilonia forms part of the La Joya complex, which totals nearly 700MWdc and includes the 300MW San Martín project and a further 125MW scheme in advanced development.
A total of 394,000 bifacial panels will be installed with commercial operation expected in the first half of 2027.
Celepsa’s chief executive Eduardo Rivas said: “Celepsa’s participation in this project is part of our strategy to ensure a reliable and competitive energy supply for our customers, supporting the development of the country’s energy sector.”
José Luis García Pérez, chief executive of Zelestra in Latin America, stated: “Peru is a key market for Zelestra in the region.”
“Babilonia reflects our long-term commitment to developing large-scale, reliable and high-performance projects that generate value for our customers, drive the energy transition and contribute to the economic and social development of the communities where we operate.”
Zelestra said construction will support more than 500 direct jobs with a focus on local labour.
It added that once operational the plant will produce enough clean energy for about 350,000 Peruvian homes.
Picture: Zelestra’s Latin America CEO, José Luis García Pérez, is joined the Regional Vice Governor of Arequipa, Ana María Gutiérrez Valdivia, and Celepsa officials for the recent ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of the Babilonia Solar Plant in Peru.