Canadian Solar and EDF Energies Nouvelles have begun construction of the 191.5 MWp Pirapora I solar energy project in Brazil.
Canadian Solar, which is one of the world’s leading solar power companies, and EDF Energies Nouvelles, a global renewable energy leader, announced on Tuesday the sale of 80% interest in the project from Canadian Solar to EDF Energies Nouvelles’ local subsidiary, EDF EN do Brasil.
Located in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil, Pirapora I will be supplied with solar modules from Canadian Solar, and is expected to reach construction completion in the third quarter of 2017. The project was awarded a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement in the second Reserve Energy Auction in 2015, and upon completion is expected to generate 391,263 MWh per year.
“The investment by EDF Energies Nouvelles in Canadian Solar’s Pirapora I project is a demonstration of the strong potential of the solar energy market in Brazil,” said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar. “Pirapora I is one of Canadian Solar’s three current projects in the country totaling 394 MWp with awarded long-term PPAs. We plan to grow our project portfolio and support the domestic solar market with our 360 MWp module manufacturing plant. We are glad to partner with a strategic investor such as EDF EN in the implementation of our first project in Brazil.”
“With this Pirapora major new solar project in partnership with a specialised company such as Canadian Solar, two wind projects currently under construction by EDF Energies Nouvelles, and having in mind the hydraulic project — Sinop — the EDF group is involved in, all this confirms a strong ambition to strengthen and diversify the Edf Group renewables assets portfolio in Brazil,” added Antoine Cahuzac, Senior Executive Vice President in Renewable Energies of EDF and Chief Executive Officer of EDF Energies Nouvelles.