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COVID-19 brings 'uncertain' hold-ups for Brazil's solar-friendly public auctions
Brazil is to "forever hold off" a host of solar-friendly public auctions consisting of a renewables-only workout (A-4) as well as a tender additionally open up to non-renewable resources (A-6), the nation's Energy Ministry introduced in a choice launched Monday.
The step brings a problem for the virtually 800 solar projects tabling bids for the A-4 public auction, arranged on 28 May 2020 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic hit. As it arised in January, a monstrous 28.66 GW of PV plans had actually stepped forward (see table listed below) for A-4 agreements, over fifty percent of the complete 51GW.
The eco-friendly power prospective buyers in limbo as A-4 public auction is postponed
Renewable energy source
A-4 bids (in number of projects)
A-4 bids (in project capacity)
Solar
794 projects
28.66GW
Wind
659 projects
20GW
Biomass
21 projects
1.14GW
Small hydro
39 projects
591MW
Resource: Figures for A-4 bidding process quantities from power regulatory authority EPE
For Brazil's A-4 sustainable public auction collection, the pandemic-driven hold-ups of 2020 mark a bleaker turn of occasions after a positive 2019. The typical PV tolls of BRL67.48/ MWh (around US$ 17.5/ MWh) finally year's workout were seen, at the time, as an international turning point.
At the time, onlookers explained the BRL67.48/ MWh solar number as the least expensive toll ever before racked up by any type of power innovation worldwide's background. Brazil's task was nonetheless shortlived, as Portugal's solar-only public auction provided an also reduced EUR14.76/ MWh (US$ 16.44) one month later on.
COVID-19 feedback row after 2019 of PV-friendly plans
Brazil's public auction termination-- a choice authorized by Energy preacher Bento Albuquerque, that checked favorable for COVID-19 on 18 March-- includes this year's A-6 tender, developed to have sustainable and also non-renewable resources complete for the very same great deal of federal government agreements.
In 2015 had actually been the very first where solar was enabled to participate, an addition implemented by the federal government of head of state Jair Bolsonaro. PV gamers reacted by tabling 29.7 GW of proposals, taking place to rack up less expensive tolls than any other power resource when the A-6 results arised last October.
Brazil's three-year strategy-- prepared before the COVID-19 episode-- was to hold an A-4 public auction in the very first fifty percent of 2019, 2020 as well as 2021, adhering to with an A-6 workout in the 2nd fifty percent. Exactly how the schedule will certainly be redrafted after the "uncertain" hold-up introduced today continues to be uncertain.
When it took pleasure in the unreserved assistance of its federal government, the start of the COVID-19 situation discovers Brazilian solar after a year. The A-6 incorporation apart, Bolsonaro's management acted to employ PV for a significant water transfer system and also resisted regulatory authority Aneel to obstruct a solar tax obligation.
The head of state himself, currently a disputed number prior to the worldwide pandemic, has actually come under extreme objection over his handling of the health and wellness emergency situation. His insurance claim that "Brazilians never ever capture anything" recently, as infection situations neared the 5,000 mark nationwide, included in the conflict.
Mar 31, 2020 // Markets & Finance News, South america, Latin america, auctions, Brazil, tenders, Coronavirus, covid-19
CGNBE’s Lagoinha Complex Begins Testing, Boosting Ceará’s Solar Momentum
Brazil has switched on another large slice of sunshine. CGN Brazil Energy (CGNBE) has received the green light from federal regulator Aneel to start test runs at its 165-MW Lagoinha Solar Complex in Russas, Ceará, marking the Chinese group’s first home-grown solar build in Latin America.
The permission, published in the 12 June edition of the government gazette, initially covers three of the project’s four units—Lagoinha II, III and IV—totalling 124 MW. But engineers completed “energisation” of the entire site in the early hours of 17 June, sending first electrons onto the local grid and setting the clock ticking on a 180-day trial period before full commercial operation.
Lagoinha sits on 304 hectares of semi-arid scrubland and hosts around 337,000 bifacial modules that follow the sun on single-axis trackers. Once fully ramped, the plant is expected to deliver about 370 GWh of electricity a year—enough to power 240,000 Brazilian homes and avoid roughly 150,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
The R$650-million (USD 125 million) investment broke ground in December 2023 and generated more than 700 construction jobs at peak. CGNBE sourced the panels and inverters from Chinese manufacturers using the first yuan-denominated trade-finance package ever arranged for a Brazilian solar project, a 160-million-yuan facility led by ICBC Brazil.
Management says the complex is a template for a 1.4-GW renewable hub the company plans across the Northeast, pairing additional solar with wind and storage. “Lagoinha proves we can move from licensing to first megawatt in 18 months—even under Brazil’s strict environmental rules,” CGNBE chief executive Wen Xia told staff in an internal memo seen by local media. The firm already operates 450 MW of brownfield PV in Piauí and Bahia but views greenfield builds as its fastest growth lever.
The launch strengthens Ceará’s bid to become a clean-power exporter to neighbouring states and to upcoming green-hydrogen corridors. State officials hailed the test as “strategic” for hitting the region’s goal of installing 2 GW of new solar by 2027. With wholesale power prices softening and corporate PPAs on the rise, Lagoinha’s merchant output is expected to attract buyers in Brazil’s free market as soon as it clears commissioning later this year.
Jun 19, 2025 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, South america, Brazil, CGNBE, Lagoinha
Macquarie, Norsk Hydro JV Boosts Renewable Energy Portfolio
has a gross project portfolio of 8.4 GW in development across the Nordics and Brazil, with assets in Brazil, Denmark, and Sweden included in the JV. The
Jun 24, 2024 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, Macquarie Infrastructure, Real Assets Core
Elecnor-Statkraft Deal: 1.8B EUR for Renewables Unit
expects the acquisition to strengthen its market operations in Spain and Brazil.
What Price Did Statkraft Pay for Elecnor's Enerfin?
Statkraft paid EUR
Nov 20, 2023 // Markets & Finance News, Spain, Europe, elecnor, Statkraft AS
Arctech To Supply Solar PV Trackers to Brazilian Project Worth 168MW
an arrangement with Mori Energia for the supply of solar PV trackers for a Brazilian solar energy project worth 168 MW, SkyLine Project. The company states that
Jul 6, 2022 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, Markets & Finance News, South america, Brazil, mori energia, solar power project, arctech, Comerc Energia, Jesse Lau, Matheus Nogueira
Valmont comes to be largest investor of Brazilian PV company Solbras
growth business Valmont Industries Inc has actually acquired a bulk stake in Brazilian solar programmer Solbras.
The monetary terms of the deal were not exposed.
Jun 9, 2020 // Markets & Finance News, South america, Brazil, Solbras, Valmont Industries Inc, João Rebequi
What's the Future of Solar Development in Latin America?
dispersed solar expand in several nations in the area, led by Mexico, Brazil and also Chile, with distributed solar broadening most swiftly in
Nov 4, 2020 // Markets & Finance News, Wood Mackenzie, Chile, South america, Latin america, Brazil, Mexico, North America
90MW Brazilian Solar Projects Energized by Trina Solar
to supply its modules and trackers to distributed solar power projects in Brazil with a combined capacity of 90 MW. The equipment will be used for a project
Dec 1, 2023 // Manufacturing News, Markets & Finance News, South america, Brazil, PV module, tracker, Trina Solar
Ceara Sets Off 195-MW Solar Complex
Brasil has started working on a 195-MW solar complex in Ceara, Brazil. The company will invest BRL 650 million in the Lagoinha Solar project located in the
Dec 18, 2023 // Plants, PV Power Plant, Brasil, CGN Brasil
Distributed generation growing in Latin America
such as Brazil, Mexico and the Dominican Republic enacted distributed generation laws as early as 2011 and 2012 to promote growth in the segment. Despite
Aug 21, 2019 // Opinions, South america, Latin america, Brazil, Mexico, Dominican Republic, North America
Sungrow Releases the most recent 75 kW String Inverter for Brazilian DG Market
Brazilian solar market has actually not been significantly influenced as a result of the COVID-19 dilemma as the enhancing electrical energy demand, the
Mar 4, 2021 // Inverters, Sungrow, inverter, solar inverter, Rafael Ribeiro
Macquarie Invest USD 332M in Hydro's Renewables
joint venture (JV) with a 6.9-GW gross portfolio of renewable projects across Brazil, Denmark, and Sweden, with Norsk Hydro keeping some Norwegian onshore wind
Oct 24, 2023 // Markets & Finance News, macquarie
Copel's Santo Antonio da Platina Solar Park Powers Up
Brazilian power utility Copel has started commercial operation of a 6.4-MWp solar park in Parana, generating 13.5 GWh per year. The facility in Santo Antonio da Platina has 9,280 PV panels and 80 trackers, covering 12 hectares. This is the third asset under Copel's Copel Solar initiative, which allows customers to save on electricity bills by acquiring generation credits.The other two solar parks under Copel Solar, Sarandi and Segredo, each have a capacity of 6.7 MWp. The initiative aims to increase renewable energy generation in Brazil and provide sustainable power solutions for customers. Copel continues to expand its solar portfolio to meet the growing demand for clean energy in the region.
How is Copel's solar initiative helping customers save on electricity bills in Brazil?
Copel's solar initiative allows customers to save on electricity bills by acquiring generation credits, which can help reduce overall energy costs.
The 6.4-MWp solar park in Parana generates 13.5 GWh per year, providing a significant amount of clean energy to the region.
With 9,280 PV panels and 80 trackers covering 12 hectares, the solar park is able to efficiently capture sunlight and convert it into electricity.
The Copel Solar initiative includes two other solar parks, Sarandi and Segredo, each with a capacity of 6.7 MWp, further contributing to renewable energy generation in Brazil.
By expanding its solar portfolio, Copel is meeting the growing demand for clean energy and providing sustainable power solutions for its customers.
Jul 4, 2024 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, South america, Brazil, Copel, PV Power Plant
Lisarb sails to Lisbon to bring 1 GW of renewables to Europe
creating a slew of renewables in Brazil, the team will look for to create, money, build and also operate new solar, wind, aquatic and hydrogen projects in
Jun 10, 2022 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, Markets & Finance News, Europe, Lisbon, Lisarb
Ceara State Greenlights 250-MW Solar Power Project
legislative assembly of Ceara, Brazil, is set to sign a service order for the construction of the Arapua solar power complex. This initiative aims to enhance the
Feb 6, 2025 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, PV Power Plant, Ceara