Okapi and foal, Virunga National Park, Congo Courtesy of Empowered by Light
Guelph, Ontario and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: Canadian Solar Inc. and EDF Energies Nouvelles, a global market leader in renewable energy, announced October 11 the sale of 80% interest in Canadian Solar’s Pirapora I solar energy project in Brazil to EDF Energies Nouvelles’ local subsidiary, EDF EN do Brasil.
The 191.5 MWp Project is starting construction and expects to reach commercial operation in the third quarter of 2017. Canadian Solar will supply the modules for the Project from its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which is Brazil’s largest, with 380 MW annual capacity of made in Brazil solar modules.
The project, located in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil, was awarded a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement in the second Reserve Energy Auction in 2015. Once completed, the Project will generate 391,263 MWh per year and contribute towards the country’s goal of obtaining 23% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.
“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. 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,” said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar.
As of September 30, 2016, Canadian Solar’s late-stage pipeline totaled 2.0 GWp of utility-scale solar project pipeline worldwide, along with a portfolio of operating solar power plants totaling 948 MWp. In Brazil, the Company’s current utility-scale solar project pipeline reaches 390 MWp. This is comprised of its 191 MWp Pirapora I project, 109 MWp Pirapora II project and 90 MWp Vazante project. The Pirapora I project is in construction and expected to reach commercial operation in 3Q17, with the Pirapora II and Vazante projects expected to reach commercial operation in 2018. Canadian Solar will supply made-in Brazil solar modules for its projects.
The company also recently announced that, working together with Empowered by Light, in partnership with the GivePower Foundation, it had donated 30 kW solar panels with 72 poly cell matrix, CS6X-P, to the first mini-grid systems in Virunga National Park — installed in August 2016.
Located in the Eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Virunga National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. Virunga National Park is home to a large portion of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, Okapis, and other rare species. In recent years, many wildlife populations have been damaged by the Congo Civil War and relentless poaching efforts. Due to the efforts by the Virunga park rangers, these numbers have shown signs of reversal, and Canadian Solar expressed pride in being part of the continued protection efforts.
The mini-grid PV system provides electricity to the three security sectors within the conservation, powering security lights, radios, and helping enhance the ranger’s ability to protect the park’s wildlife, even in remote areas at night.
In a related story, Canadian solar energy entrepreneur Adam Camenzuli represented Canada at the G20’s Young Entrepreneurs Alliance (YEA) Summit in Beijing in September. KARIBU Solar Power provides an alternative to kerosene products often used to light African homes and seeks to contribute to social change, economic renewal, and job creation.
See also, “Canadian Solar, a home-grown success story,” IPPSO FACTO, August 2016.