Atlas completes 300-MW solar park in Mexico

Latin America-focused renewables developer Atlas Renewable Energy on Monday said that its 300-MW La Pimienta solar power plant in Mexico is now fully operational.

The solar park is located in the southern Mexican state of Campeche and is said to be the second largest solar plant in the country. It will supply electricity to state-owned utility Federal Electric Commission (CFE) under a 15-year contract. With an annual generation of about 789 GWh, the plant will support the power requirements of the Yucatan peninsula.

The completion of the project was marked with a visit to the site last week by local government officials and US Consul General in Merida Dorothy Ngutter.

The plant, consisting of more than a million solar panels installed across 651 hectares (1,609 acres), is the first large-scale solar investment in Campeche, according to the announcement. It is backed by the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB), National Bank of Public Works and Services (Banobras), MUFG Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Societe Generale.

The construction process created more than 1,000 jobs. Atlas also implemented various social and environmental initiatives, including the construction, rehabilitation and equipment of two health centres.

In October, it was announced that Atlas was acquired by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) from private equity firm Actis.

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