Enel’s Global Renewable Energies Division reported a record-breaking jump in capacity addition last year.
Enel Green Power reported that it added 2,018 megawatts of renewable energy capacity last year, a 124% increase from around 900 megawatts capacity added in 2015. Quite understandably, a good majority of the new capacity was added in developing markets, like Brazil, Mexico, Chile and South Africa.
“This record confirms once again the incredible efforts made by the entire Enel Green Power team,” said Francesco Venturini, Head of Enel’s Global Renewable Energies Division. “It’s a team result that makes us extremely proud. The credit goes to everyone who worked selflessly and steadfastly to attain this success.”
Solar and wind energy technologies dominated the capacity addition last year at Enel Green Power.
In Chile the company, through a subsidiary, added 542 megawatts of solar and wind energy projects. This includes 160 megawatts Finis Terrae solar PV park and 97 megawatts Carrera Pinto solar power project.
In Brazil, the company commissioned 102 MW Apiacás hydropower park in the state of Mato Grosso. The company has lined up several large-scale solar power projects in the country to be commissioned this year. These include a 254 megawatts and a 292 megawatts solar power project; the latter will be the largest solar power project in South America and also the largest solar power project owned by Enel when commissioned.
Additionally, Enel Green Power Peru is also working on a 160 megawatts solar power project which is expected to be commissioned this year.
Wind energy projects with cumulative capacity of 229 megawatts were commissioned in Mexico by Enel Green Power. The company added 470 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, second only to the United States. Enel Green Power RSA commissioned multiple solar and wind energy projects under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
The company added 573 megawatts of renewable energy capacity in the United States. This includes 200 megawatts wind energy capacity at Cimarron Bend wind farm. The wind farm will eventually have an installed capacity of 400 megawatts making it Enel’s largest wind energy project globally.