Atlas powers up 300MW Mexico solar

• La Pimienta plant in the state of Campeche will supply power to CFE under a 15-year contract

Atlas Renewable Energy has begun commercial procedures at a 300MW solar plant in Mexico.

La Pimienta, currently completely operational, lies in the state of Campeche as well as is the second biggest functional solar plant in Mexico, stated Atlas.

The plant will provide energy to CFE under a 15-year agreement to support the power demands of the Yucatan peninsula.

La Pimienta is made up of more than a million solar panels, which are spread across 651 hectares.

La Pimienta stands for the initial large-scale solar renewable energy financial investment in Campeche, with the participation of the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB), National Bank of Public Works as well as Services (Banobras), MUFG Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) as well as Société Générale.

"We are really proud that our biggest project to date is now completely functional. This project is really unique for us, as we are able to provide clean energy to the Yucatan Peninsula and prevent the exhaust of greater than 1.7 million tons of CO2.

"Additionally, we have the ability to promote unique social and also environmental programs that will certainly add to the well-being of the surrounding communities and the conservation of the local ecosystem," stated Camilo Serrano, General Manager for Atlas Renewable Energy in México.

The building and construction of La Pimienta produced over 1000 jobs where the regional workforce was prioritised.

Atlas' flagship programme, "We are all part of the same energy", educated 355 regional women in technical abilities as well as hired 165 of them, raising female representation from a traditional 2% to 15% throughout the building of these types of projects.

Atlas likewise implemented Project Carmen; a programme in partnership with the local health authorities concentrated on bringing easily accessible healthcare to the nearby communities through the building, rehabilitation and devices of 2 health centres.

The business additionally sustained the community with the installment of completely dry bathrooms as well as wood-saving stoves for over 40 families.

Caring for the atmosphere as well as protecting the neighborhood ecosystem was also a primary focus, mentioned Atlas.

The company applied a biodiversity programme to protect the neighborhood flora and animals and improved a natural corridor within the plant, to boost the environment of regional species.

The business is also returning neighborhood flora that was saved throughout the building phase of the plant, and also it will certainly execute a 450-hectare reforestation programme, expecting to plant near 100,000 specimens.